Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide high bandwidth data communication with respect to a large coverage area using smart antenna and/or directional antenna (referred to herein as multi-beam antenna) technology. Circuitry may be provided at a WLAN AP to provide selection of particular antenna beams used in the downlink and/or uplink, control of multicast transmission, control of unicast transmission, and to provide antenna pattern shaping techniques. Embodiments implement multi-beam antenna technology with little or no hardware modifications to AP circuitry. Other embodiments implement multi-beam technology using radio front-end and/or radio hardware modifications to AP circuitry. Various diversity techniques may be implemented, such as selection diversity, maximum ratio combining, and equal gain combing. To provide desired antenna pattern shaping, phase offsets with respect to a signal as transmitted in each antenna beam may be employed.

Abstract: A self-luminous base lamp material for use in construction of a flat flexible fluorescent lamp is disclosed. A layer of fluorescent particles is carried between a rear electrode and front conductor electrode arranged in a parallel plate or split-electrode operative configuration. The fluorescent particles emit light upon excitation by an ultraviolet light source carried between the electrodes in response to energy applied to the electrodes. Inert gas carried in a glass microsphere functions as the ultraviolet source in one embodiment.

Abstract: A phosphor coated film laminate is produced in a continuous coil suitable for further processing to provide an electroluminscent lamp construction and lamp. Dielectric material is applied to the phosphor surface of the film laminate in a desired shape by screening or punching and electrical connections are formed on the front and read conductors of the EL lamp. A continuous coil of electroluminscent lamps and construction is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for employing switched phase shifters and a feed network to provide a low cost multiple beam antenna system for wireless communications. The present systems and methods may also facilitate multi-band communications and employ multi-diversity. The present systems and methods allow communication systems to achieve enhanced performance for communication or other services such as location tracking. The present systems and methods may employ switched phase shifters, multiple diversity antennas and/or a feed network having a multi-layer construction to provide an antenna system with low losses, low external component count and/or which is thin and compact.

Abstract: A path way marking and lighting system utilizes continuous electroluminescent strips of indeterminate length to provide an uninterrupted illuminated path to a target destination such as an egress exit. Powering means responsive to an activation stimulus means are provided to illuminate the electroluminescent strip. Means are provided for self diagnostic testing to carry out one or more sub-system tests to detect system operation within predetermined operating parameters and means provide an alerting indicator in response to a sub-system test detecting a system operation failure.

Abstract: Continuous manufacturing of EL lamp laminate material comprising a front substrate made up of an organic binder phosphor particulate layer coated on an ITO/PET substrate with a rear substrate made up of a barium titanate layer coated on an aluminum foil polyester film laminate is described. The resultant EL lamp laminate is coiled and stored on a take-up reel for subsequent use as an EL lamp having a transparent ITO front electrode and aluminum foil rear electrode. Large surface illumination area, split-electrode and parallel plate EL lamps made from the EL lamp laminate material are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting a sample of material for analysis by a laser-based analyser comprises a chamber, a first window for admitting laser radiation to the chamber, sample presentation means for presenting a sample such that said laser radiation can impinge upon the sample, and a plurality of second windows (76,78,80,82) for receiving radiation emitted from the sample, said plurality of second windows (76,78, 80,82) adapted to pass radiation emitted from the sample to a plurality of detector means. The apparatus further includes a gas inlet (98) and a gas outlet (100) to enable the atmosphere inside the chamber (52) to be controlled.

Abstract: A shoe for walking quietly on a variety of surfaces including an upper and an outsole attached to the upper. The outsole includes a pile material extending from the bottom thereof. The shoe may include a cushioning midsole interspersed between the upper and outsole.

Abstract: A path way marking and lighting system utilizes continuous electroluminescent strips of indeterminate length to provide an uninterrupted illuminated path to a target destination such as an egress exit. Powering means responsive to an activation stimulus means are provided to illuminate the electroluminescent strip. Means are provided for self diagnostic testing to carry out one or more sub-system tests to detect system operation within predetermined operating parameters and means provide an alerting indicator in response to a sub-system test detecting a system operation failure.

Abstract: A weapon system comprising a mobile platform (1) e.g. an aircraft incorporating a first three-axis attitude reference sub-system (13), and a guidable vehicle (3) launchable from the platform (1) and incorporating a guidance sub-system (15) incorporating gyros (17) wherein correction of gyro parameters, i.e. scale factor and zero offset, of the vehicle attitude reference sub-system (15) is effected prior to launch of the vehicle (3) on the basis of repetitive comparisons of attitude data as measured by the platform and vehicle sub-systems (13, 15). The vehicle (3) may comprise a dispenser of a number of munitions (5) each itself incorporating a guidance sub-system (25) incorporating gyros (27), in which case corrections of gyro parameters of the missile guidance sub-system (25) may be effected prior to missile launch on the basis of repetitive comparisons of attitude data as measured by the dispenser and munition sub-systems (15, 25).

Abstract: Continuous manufacturing of EL lamp laminate material comprising a front substrate made up of an organic binder phosphor particulate layer coated on an ITO/PET substrate with a rear substrate made up of a barium titanate layer coated on an aluminum foil polyester film laminate is described. The resultant EL lamp laminate is coiled and stored on a take-up reel for subsequent use as an EL lamp having a transparent ITO front electrode and aluminum foil rear electrode. Large surface illumination area, split-electrode and parallel plate EL lamps made from the EL lamp laminate material are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method whereby plasma integrity of plasma contained in a blood bag is rapidly and accurately assessed without compromising the sterility of the plasma, or destroying any of its components. This is achieved through spectral data which is used in a novel way so as to determine if a plasma specimen representative of plasma in a blood bag contains interferents and if so, to what extent. The apparatus and method analyse plasma contained in two bags whereby tubing connects the two bags. A lamp is used to irradiate the specimen, and a spectrophotometer is used to measure radiation from the specimen. The apparatus and method allow for determination where both the bags and tubings are translucent and contain writing on their surfaces (e.g., proprietary information), and the light is transmitted through the writings, plastic, and the plasma contained in the bag or tubing.

Abstract: A system architecture for managing event driven activities, the event driven activities are generated by a recipient's desire for a selected resource. The recipient is in communication with a Resource Manager. The Resource Manager in receipt and responsive to the recipient's request, generates a request for a resource allocation to satisfy the desire of the recipient for the resource. The Resource Manager formulates and transmits a request stimulus delineating the recipient desire for a selected resource allocation to a Publishing Engine. The Publishing Engine evaluates the Resource Manager's request in view of the available resources and transmits the evaluation to the Resource Manager. The Resource Manager, in communication with the Scheduling Engine, generates a schedule activity request. The Scheduling Engine, responsive to the schedule activity request and in concert with the Publishing Engine, generates an event activity schedule reflecting the recipient's desire for a selected resource.

Abstract: An information gathering facility is provided to gather information on a state of a computer system. The information gathering facility includes a dictionary file data structure having at least one inquiry which comprises at least one instruction to call a pre-existing executable on the computer system. The pre-existing executable is executed in response to processing of the at least one instruction and data is obtained from the executable. This data is used in accordance with the at least one instruction to derive a result to be included as part of the state information on the computer system.

Abstract: A power supply is provided for illuminating an electro-luminescent lamp with a constant current and frequency drive signal having a predetermined limiting voltage level for compensating changes in the electro-luminescent lamp characteristics. The power supply operates from an AC or DC input voltage power source and includes an electronic ground fault current interrupter circuit means with remote reset capability to provide protection for the power supply and against user injury. An auto line AC voltage selection circuit senses and selects the proper voltage operating configuration without operator intervention. The status of an LED in conjunction with the status of the electro-luminescent lamp is used as an internal diagnostic aid to assist a user in isolating fault conditions. External signals from a lighting control panel are coupled via an input control circuit to the power supply to provide special lighting effects.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method whereby plasma integrity of plasma contained in a blood bag is rapidly and accurately assessed without compromising the sterility of the plasma, or destroying any of its components. This is achieved through spectral data which is used in a novel way so as to determine if a plasma specimen representative of plasma in a blood bag contains interferents and if so, to what extent. The apparatus and method analyse plasma contained in two bags whereby tubing connects the two bags. A lamp is used to irradiate the specimen, and a spectrophotometer is used to measure radiation from the specimen. The apparatus and method allow for determination where both the bags and tubings are translucent and contain writing on their surfaces (e.g., proprietary information), and the light is transmitted through the writings, plastic, and the plasma contained in the bag or tubing.

Abstract: Compressed mixtures of coconut coir pith and peat moss are prepared from decompressed coconut coir pith and peat moss. The compressed mixtures are capable of being decompressed to form fluffed plant growth media having improved fluffed yield and enhanced wettability characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable water safety monitoring device including a transmitter to be worn on a person, and a base station for monitoring any transmission from the transmitter indicating immersion of the transmitter in water. The device is particularly applicable for monitoring children near a swimming pool or other body of water to prevent drowning accidents. The transmitter is a compact printed circuit board carrying a capacitance water sensor and a sealed circuitry for detecting a change in capacitance and transmitting an alarm signal to the base station. Advantageously, on opposing sides of the printed circuit board large perimeter conductors provide a sensor able to register a varying level of capacitance. This can reduce false alarms due to incidental wetting. As a further advantage, the use of a compact printed circuit board eliminates any exposed leads in the construction, which could be damaged or disconnected by a child deactivating the monitor.

Abstract: A method of correcting for magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by various factors, such as implanted metal and air/tissue interfaces, in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. Geometric distortion due to inhomogeneity in a static magnetic field B.sub.0 is corrected for by addition of a compensation gradient. The compensation gradient is applied in the slice selection direction Z, has a timing substantially identical to the standard frequency encoding gradient G.sub.x, and has an amplitude identical to the slice selection gradient G.sub.z that is applied during the initial RF excitation. Inhomogeneity in an RF field B.sub.1 is compensated for by utilizing an RF coil that is large enough in size as compared with a metal implant to make the volumetric percentage of the metal in the coil insignificant. Inhomogeneity in a gradient field G=(G.sub.x, G.sub.y, G.sub.z) is corrected for by a treatment of the most significant error factor G.sub.z that causes slice thickness error.