Abstract: A connector is provided to attach a supported member to a supporting member, with the supported member being in sloped and skewed relation to the supporting member. The connector has back members attached to side members. A seat member attaches to the side members through a hinged connection. The seat member interfaces with the bottom face of the supported member and can be disposed at a sloped angle. A pair of seat side members extend from the seat member.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing purchase control services are provided. A method includes generating a record for a business agreement established between a customer and a supplier, and entering terms of the business agreement into corresponding data fields. The method also includes linking key data fields in the record to one or more information sources. In response to receiving an item from the supplier entity, the method includes creating a standardized record for the item, mapping the standardized record to at least one of the information sources and the record, reviewing the item for missing and incorrect data and supplying missing or correct data to the standardized record from at least one of the information sources. The method further includes comparing data in the standardized record with data provided in one of the pricing schedule and the record and resolving discrepancies, if discovered, in response to the comparing.

Abstract: A system and method for the delivery of information. A network permits the transfer of small to large data files through a variety of delivery methods, such as physical or electronic means. The information may include different types of media content, which may be selected and retrieved by a user. The user can select the location and time for delivery of the information, which is retrievable and downloadable to a personal device. This allows users to acquire the information in a relatively short period of time and at neighboring locations.

Abstract: The invention is a processor based analysis system with appropriate interface that includes multiple fish surrogates that each have a plurality of piezoelectric and triaxial accelerometer sensors for emulating sensory organs of a particular fish. The multiple fish surrogate array is immersed in flowing water intakes of a hydraulic structures such as intakes, intake bypasses, and diversion structures, and natural geological formation such as riffles, shoal areas, and pools. The invention is an interface system for data acquisition analysis and perspective display of acoustic and fluid dynamic data in or near these hydraulic structures and/or natural formations. To accomplish this, multiple sensors in each of the fish-shaped surrogate physical enclosures that form the array are deployed at the same time to describe a fish's aquatic environment at the hydraulic structure location.

Abstract: In an antenna having a conductor of a length L and a dielectric material with a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.r1 contacting the conductor, a matching dielectric layer .epsilon..sub.r2 less than .epsilon..sub.r1 matches the dielectric constant to free space. Preferably .epsilon..sub.r2 =.sqroot..epsilon..sub.r1 , L=.lambda..sub.o /(2.sqroot..epsilon..sub.r1 ). The depth d of the second dielectric is a quarter wavelength in the matching layer. Multiple matching layers with successively decreasing dielectric constants forms embodiments. In one embodiment the resonant conductive arrangement is a microstrip patch antenna with the dielectric material supporting a patch and matching layer covering the dielectric material.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label has a housing which is formed oversized and later shaped to fit securely into a C channel of a targeted shelf, without requiring any additional hardware fixtures for mounting.

Abstract: A microstrip patch filter in which a dielectric has a ground plane printed on one of its faces and a conductive arrangement printed on the other of said faces, the conductive arrangement includes a flat patch, input and output leads electromagnetically coupled to the flat patch, the flat patch or the dielectric substrate has a reactance-enhancing metallic constriction located along a portion of the patch. When the constriction is in the patch it forms a current-concentrating inductive constriction. When the constriction is in the dielectric substrate, it enhances the capacitance. In an embodiment, the patch has two mutually-transverse constrictions that divide the patch into four sub-patches cross-connected by current-concentrating inductive constriction.

Abstract: In a resonator in which a ground plane and a patch sandwich a dielectric, a slot in the patch concentrates emanation of radiation from the slot. Shorting conductors form the ends of the resonator. A dielectric cover over the slot matches the dielectric constant of the substrate to that of free space. Quarter-wave chokes at the ends of the resonator suppress currents in the ground plane.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a microstrip conductor antenna, such as a patch antenna, is improved at any particular frequency by making the thickness of the conductor sufficiently small to reduce shielding and losses caused by the skin effect and make currents at the upper and lower surfaces couple with each other and make the conductor partially transparent to radiation. In one embodiment the thickness is between 0.5.delta. and 4.delta.. Preferably the thickness is between 1.delta. and 2.delta. where .delta. is equal to the distance at which current is reduced by 1/e., for example 1.5 to 3 micrometers at 2.5 gigahertz in copper. According to an embodiment, alternate layers of dielectrics and radiation transparent patches on a substrate enhance antenna operation.

Abstract: Dielectric components extend between top and bottom surfaces of a ground plane in a resonant microstrip patch antenna over a distance of one-quarter-wavelength of a resonant frequency of the antenna. The components form quarter-wave chokes within which waves cancel with reflected waves and reduce currents in the bottom surfaces of the ground plane. This reduces back lobe responses.

Abstract: A cordless telephone system is arranged for extending the operating range of a cordless telephone portable unit within such system. The cordless telephone system comprises a plurality of cordless telephone stations that plug into any available wall telephone jack and may share the intrapremises telephone wire-pair with one or more existing corded telephone stations without interference. Each cordless telephone station consists of a cordless telephone base unit and its associated cordless telephone portable unit. Although each of the portable units is associated with a particular base unit, all of the portable units are able to operate with any of the base units in the system. As a user of a portable unit with a call in progress roams about a premises, all base units monitor the quality of the radio frequency signal received from the portable unit.

Abstract: An electronic label device includes a display device and a microcomputer connected to control the display device. The microcomputer includes a memory having a plurality of registers. Data received via an antenna is stored in the registers. The microcomputer is indirectly controlled to selectively display data stored in the registers on said display device. The indirect control is effected by coupling signals to the said microcomputer without physical contact with elements of the label device, such as by a magnetic reed switch, capacitor coupling or inductive coupling.

Abstract: An extended operating range is provided for a portable or handset unit operating within a cordless telephone system. The system employs multiple base units and multiple handset units, with only one of the multiple base units being activated at a time for communicating with a given handset unit. Each of the multiple handset units has an assigned or dedicated base unit with which only it may communicate. Other shared base units with which all the multiple handset units may communicate are also located in the system which supports multiple simultaneous users. An associated radio link control unit controls the activation and deactivation of the base units which are dispersed through a premises. This control unit also controls the connection of a voice path to the base unit actively communicating with a handset unit. As a user of a handset unit with a call in progress roams around the premises, this base unit monitors the quality of the signal received from the handset unit.

Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the level of radiated and received energy in a telescoping antenna while the antenna is in a collapsed position. The increase in energy is obtained through use of a sliding member which projects from the base of the antenna and contacts antenna matching circuitry for making changes to this circuitry when the antenna is collapsed. Initially tuned for resonating signals for transmission and reception with the antenna in an extended position, the antenna matching circuitry is retuned by a switching action provided by the sliding member for more effective resonating of these signals with the shorter length antenna. The switching action of the sliding member also activates gain control circuitry which increases the signal levels in both an associated transmitter and receiver when the antenna is in the collapsed position.

Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the level of radiated and received energy in a telescoping antenna while the antenna is in a collapsed position. The increase in energy is obtained through use of a sliding member which projects from the base of the the antenna and contacts antenna matching circuitry for making changes to this circuitry when the antenna is collapsed. Initially tuned for resonating signals for transmission and reception with the antenna in an extended position, the antenna matching circuitry is retuned by a switching action provided by the sliding member for more effective resonating of these signals with the shorter length antenna. The switching action of the sliding member also activates gain control circuitry which increases the signal levels in both an associated transmitter and receiver when the antenna is in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A telescoping antenna structure suitable for use in a portable transceiver for increasing the level of radiated or received r-f energy while in a collapsed position and also obtaining the maximum permitted level of radiated r-f energy while in an extended position. The increase in r-f energy in the antenna while in the collapsed position is obtained through use of a projectable sliding member affixed to the antenna which comes in contact with and makes electrical changes to antenna tuning circuitry when the antenna is adjusted from the extended position to the collapsed position.

Abstract: A telescoping antenna structure suitable for use in a portable transceiver for increasing the level of radiated or received r-f energy while in a collapsed position and also obtaining the maximum permitted level of radiated r-f energy while in an extended position. The increase in r-f energy in the antenna while in the collapsed position is obtained through use of a projectable sliding member affixed to the antenna which comes in contact with and makes electrical changes to antenna tuning circuitry when the antenna is adjusted from the extended position to the collapsed position.

Abstract: A cordless telephone employed in a public telephone system provides mobility and service at reasonable cost to users of portable communications equipment. The system includes a plurality of base units which are accessible by a plurality of similarly configured cordless telephones. Each one of these base units is assigned and operates on one of multiple frequency channels and each one of the cordless telephones is capable of establishing a communications link with each one of these base units. Once a cordless telephone establishes communications with a base unit within its reception range, other cordless telephones within this reception range are precluded from establishing communications with this base unit or monitoring or otherwise interfering with communications between the cordless telephone and this base unit while the communications link is established therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic compositions which have been improved through the addition of a light-curing resin. Porcelain compositions are formulated to include a light-curing resin, generally of the acrylic monomer type, molded into a desired shape, and subjected to an appropriate light source to preset the molded object, for example, a porcelain inlay or margin. The present ceramic object having a thus improved integrity is transported or further manipulated, and then fired in a conventional porcelain firing oven. Ceramic compositions made in accordance with the present invention may be employed in all types of dental restoration procedures, including the fabrication of margins, inlays, crowns, laminates, as well as various non-dental applications.