Abstract: A non-intrusive physiological data measurement system and method, as well as an optically induced treatment system, are described. The measurement system includes a monitoring mechanism that includes light emitter modules capable of emitting light at at least two wavelengths. The light emitted from the light emitter modules is transmitted through a subject and to a light receiving mechanism, such as an optical sensor. Physiological data is taken from the received light. The system also can ascertain movement of the subject by obtaining an initial outline of the subject and comparing that outline with a subsequently obtained outline. A therapeutic optic system includes a non-adhering light emitting mechanism for providing light at therapeutic wavelengths.

Abstract: A system and method involve tracking the location of objects within an area of interest using transmitted-reference ultra-wideband (TR-UWB) signals. The system includes at least three base stations communicating with a central processor, at least one mobile device and at least one fixed beacon transmitter of known location. The mobile device is equipped with a transmitter for transmitting a TR-UWB signal to a base station, which then determines a location of the mobile device based on time difference of arrival information between the beacon transmitters and mobile devices measured at all the base stations. Preferably, the area of interest includes a plurality of mobile devices each transmitting a delay-hopped TR-UWB signal according to a code-division multiple access scheme. The mobile devices may be attached to a patient and/or a medical asset within the hospital for tracking purposes.

Abstract: Circuits are provided for transmitted reference spread spectrum systems using a noise-like digital sequence with delayed replica. The circuits produce the digital spreading sequences at extremely high speed, and are capable of providing a great degree of signal spreading. A first embodiment is composed of a low speed section and a high-speed section. This embodiment allows for greater power efficiency without sacrificing sequence speed. In addition, the embodiment also allows shaping of the spectrum of the high-speed digital sequence. Further, this embodiment generates an m-sequence and its near delay by storing decimated pieces of the entire m-sequence over a plurality of end-around circulating shift registers or so-called ring counters. The ring counters can be run at low speed and there is no exclusive-oring operation. A time-delayed transmitted reference spread spectrum transmitter is provided using digital noise generators that are capable of very high speed operation.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprises a variable capacitor and a power source. The electrical power generation system is configured to generate electric power via movements of the rail. The power source is used in the form of a generator to prime the variable capacitor that effectively multiplies the priming energy of the power source by extracting energy from the passing vehicle. By alternately priming the variable capacitor using charge from the power source and discharging it at a later time in a cyclic manner to change the capacitance, a significantly large amount of electrical energy is produced due to change in capacitance than from the power source itself.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communications system combines the techniques of a transmitted reference (TR) and a multiple access scheme called delay hopping (DH). Combining these two techniques using UWB signaling using a continuous noise transmitted waveform avoids the synchronization difficulties associated with conventional approaches. This TR technique is combined with the DH multiple access technique to create a UWB communications scheme that has a greater multiple access capacity than does the UWB TR technique by itself.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communications system combines the techniques of a transmitted reference (TR) and a multiple access scheme called delay hopping (DH). Combining these two techniques using UWB signaling results in a penalty in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over conventional pulse position modulation (PPM) techniques but avoids the synchronization difficulties associated with conventional approaches. The signaling pulse waveforms are designed to insure that their power spectral densities, after any frequency translation to the center of an operating band, are essentially spectrally disjoint with frequencies that must be protected. This TR technique is combined with the DH multiple access technique to create a UWB communications scheme that has a greater multiple access capacity than does the UWB TR technique by itself.

Abstract: A telemeter for telemetry of diagnostic messages from a mobile asset to a remote station comprises a processor coupled to the output of one or more condition sensors. The processor converts the output of the condition sensors to a diagnostic message, and provides the diagnostic message at a processor output. A transmitter is coupled to the processor output. The transmitter is adapted to transmit the diagnostic messages in the Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) frequency band. An exemplary embodiment of a telemetry system of the invention comprises a telemeter adapted to transmit diagnostic messages in the ISM frequency band, and a remote station including a receiver for receiving the diagnostic messages in the ISM band.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting an operational condition of a rail track from a railcar includes an antenna positioned on the railcar that directs radar signals toward the rail track and collects radar signals returned from the rail track. A radar transceiver is connected to the antenna and supplying the radar signals to the antenna. The radar transceiver receives radar returned signals from an interaction of the radar signal with the rail track. A controller is connected to the radar transceiver for controlling transmission of the radar signals from the radar transceiver and receipt of the radar returned signals. A signal processing unit is connected to the controller and a sensor unit that supplies input data to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit processes at least the input data and the radar returned signal to produce processor output data and to determine the operational condition of the rail track.

Abstract: An integrated tracking, telemetry and local area networking system is provided. A communications system comprises a broadband subsystem comprising at least one UWB node including a first UWB transceiver and at least one application node linked to the UWB node by a broadband link. The system further comprises a wireless subsystem comprising at least one remote communicator, the remote communicator including a second UWB transceiver. The first and second UWB transceivers are configured to communicate with each other via an UWB communications link.

Abstract: Public or private remote access infrastructures in a communication system are used to facilitate communications between a remote site and a centrally located diagnostic center using only local telephone calls. The diagnostic center as well as one or more remote sites at which monitored equipment is located are coupled to a wide area network (WAN). When data are to be transferred from a remote site to the central diagnostic center, the remote site initiates a local telephone call to a point-of-presence (POP) server on the WAN backbone. This could be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) if the Internet is used, or an intranet if a private network is used. Data are then transferred to the POP server. To complete the transfer, the diagnostic center retrieves the data from the POP server using the public or private wide-area network (the Internet or intranet). The data transfer can be performed either on a scheduled basis, or when an alarm condition is detected at the remote site.

Abstract: A controller in a mobile telephone periodically commands GPS circuitry in the mobile telephone to power-on, capture and process GPS satellite signals. The signals are processed to obtain pseudo-range or time-difference data for at least one GPS satellite. After the signals are processed, the pseudo-range or time-difference data, GPS time, and satellite numbers are stored in non-volatile random access memory (RAM) and the GPS circuitry is powered off. When an emergency signal is present, the controller first commands the GPS circuitry to power-on, capture and process signals from four GPS satellites. If signals from at least four satellites are not present, the information stored in non-volatile RAM is read out. The processed data (if available), or else the data read out of the non-volatile RAM, are reported to a central location through the mobile telephone transmitter. The central location can then use the data to compute the present or last valid GPS location of the GPS receiver.

Abstract: A mobile local area network (LAN) of tracked assets utilizing minimal power and bandwidth allows a large number of assets to be tracked in a practical manner. The mobile LAN is established between a plurality of tracking units in close proximity. Assets are approximately located according to their connection in the mobile LAN where the exact location of at least one of the network nodes is known. Each tracked asset has capability to independently determine and report its position to a central station, and each asset also has capability to communicate locally with other cooperative assets via the LAN. The LAN is dynamically reconfigurable so that as other cooperative assets come into proximity, they can join the network, and as others move away, they can leave the network. Within the network, a protocol is followed which assigns one of the assets to be the "master" and all others to be "slaves".