Abstract: A slide carrier includes: a base support; and a slide platform having a surface that is parallel to a first plane defined by a first vector and a second vector, wherein a vector extending in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity is normal with respect to a second plane defined by a third vector and a fourth vector, an angle between the first vector and the third vector is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees, and an angle between the second vector and the fourth vector is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile phone remote control system, a system for programming the remote control, and methods of programming or using the remote control. The mobile phone remote control system is configured to be selectively set up or programmed using a display screen and corresponding function buttons on the remote control. The remote control system may be used to control the channel of a media device such as a television based on an icon displayed on a screen of the mobile phone. The set up process allows channel numbers to be automatically assigned based on icons selected by a user and previously identified geographic information such as a mobile phone user address postal zip code.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator assembly comprising at least a stack of interior piezoelectric wafers which, in one embodiment, each include first and second spaced-apart strips of conductive material defining first and second wrap-around electrodes. The interior wafers are stacked in an alternating relationship wherein the first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed in an opposed relationship. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an end piezoelectric wafer located at each end of the stack of interior wafers and includes a wrap-around electrode in contact with the interior wafers. A conductive end plate is coupled to each of the end piezoelectric wafers. A terminal wire is coupled to each conductive end plate.

Abstract: A remote control for appending commands into a learned macro routine of commands is provided. A receiver is arranged to receive signals from one or more remote controls, wherein the signals represent one or more commands comprising a macro. The remote control stores the macro in memory and has “learned” the received macro. The learned macro can be modified by appending one or more additional commands into the macro using commands already contained within the remote control.

Abstract: A remote control device having an emitter pointing in a direction generally non-parallel to a plane defined by the buttons. In some versions three emitters are provided, with the emitters pointing in different directions and having different radiation patterns. In additional versions, at least some of the buttons include Braille markings.

Abstract: A remote control and method of using the remote control are provided. The remote control includes a microprocessor, a memory accessible by the microprocessor that includes a database of a plurality of favorite channels, a user interface in signal communication with the microprocessor that allows selection of successive next or previous favorite channels, and a transmitter controlled by the microprocessor that, responsive to user activation of the user interface, transmits wireless signals corresponding to the successive next or previous favorite channel. In an example embodiment, an icon is associated with each favorite channel and the remote includes a display screen that displays the icon associated with the successive next or previous favorite channel when the user interface is activated. The method of using the remote control includes activating the user interface to select a next favorite channel.

Abstract: Repeater systems and methods for coupling a home automation control signal from a first power line operating on a first phase to a second power line operating on a second phase are provided. A power line control repeater includes a power line control signal transceiver, a wireless signal transmitter, a wireless signal receiver, and a processor. The processor is configured to instruct the transmitting component to transmit wireless signals based on power line signals detected by the power line control signal transceiver and further configured to identify wireless signals received at the wireless signal receiver from a similarly configured repeater and to instruct the transceiver to modulate the power signal based on the received signals. A system includes two repeaters in wireless signal communication.

Abstract: A method of controlling a braking force applied to at least one wheel supporting a tire that includes steps of issuing a braking command (100), commanding an amount of tire stretch based on the braking command (102), estimating an amount of tire stretch for the tire based at least in part on wheel speed (104), and controlling the braking force applied to the wheel so that the estimated amount of tire stretch approaches the commanded amount of tire stretch (106). Also, a system (10) for controlling braking based on a determination of tire stretch that includes a tire stretch command generator (12) generating a tire stretch command based on a braking command, a reference velocity estimator (46) producing a first signal indicative of a velocity, a tire stretch estimator (30) producing a second signal indicative of an amount of tire stretch, and a brake force command generator (18) generating a brake force command based on the braking command, the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Image viewing system and method for use with a video telephony application. The method includes forming a panoramic image by moving the camera about at least one axis, capturing images from at least two different camera positions, and joining the images together. The method also includes presenting the panoramic image on a visual display device, receiving input from a user indicating that a subset of the panoramic image has been selected, pointing the camera in a direction corresponding to the selected subset, and presenting images from the camera corresponding to the selected subset on the visual display device. The system includes a camera with a controllable pivot assembly that pivots in at least one direction in signal communication with a computer, and a software module that directs the pivot assembly to move the camera and presents images on a display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile phone remote control system, a system for programming the remote control, and methods of programming or using the remote control. The mobile phone remote control system is configured to be selectively set up or programmed using a display screen and corresponding function buttons on the remote control. The remote control system may be used to control the channel of a media device such as a television based on an icon displayed on a screen of the mobile phone. The set up process allows channel numbers to be automatically assigned based on icons selected by a user and previously identified geographic information such as a mobile phone user address postal zip code.

Abstract: The present invention provides at least two input driving sections for a piezoelectric transformer. The two input driving sections are configured in a stacked configuration, with either one section on top of the other or the sections interlaced. Each input driving section includes a pair of electrodes. All of the electrodes preferably have a distinct electrode shape. The two input driving sections provide for the application of phase-modulated input signals to control the gain or amplitude of the transformer output.

Abstract: The present invention provides at least two input driving sections for a piezoelectric transformer. The two input driving sections are configured in a stacked configuration, with either one section on top of the other or the sections interlaced. Each input driving section includes a pair of electrodes. All of the electrodes preferably have a distinct electrode shape. The two input driving sections provide for the application of phase-modulated input signals to control the gain or amplitude of the transformer output.

Abstract: Waveguide phase shifter (200, FIG. 2 and 300, FIG. 3) uses piezoelectric ceramics to implement a voltage variable actuator (270, 370) for moving at least one dielectric vane (255, 355) relative to a reference surface (206, 306) in a waveguide cavity (285, 385). In this manner, the phase shift in waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) is controlled. In one embodiment, actuator (270) comprises first piezoelectric wafer (210), second piezoelectric wafer (220), first metallic layer (230), second metallic layer (240), third metallic layer (250), mating surface (272) and spacer (265). Actuator (270) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish a lever arm mechanism to establish vertical movement (294) and move dielectric vane (255). Actuator (370) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish vertical movement (394) and move dielectric vane (355). Waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) are used in phased array antenna (400) operating at microwave frequencies.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator control circuit includes a first conductor attached to the free end of a piezoelectric device and a second conductor rigidly fixed at a position spaced from the piezoelectric device such that a variable capacitor is created between the first and second conductors. The variable capacitor is then used in a capacitive voltage divider to generate a drive signal which moves the piezoelectric device. Thus, the movement of the piezoelectric device can be precisely controlled. The control circuit allows for precise control of an array of such piezoelectric actuators and is particularly applicable to the use of actuators for controlling a mmWave phase array antenna.

Abstract: An array (100) of voltage variable capacitors (110) is provided in which voltage variable capacitors (110) are fabricated with piezoelectric displacement devices (150). Voltage variable capacitors (110) have first plates (120) which are coupled to displacement devices (150). First plates (120) are dielectrically coupled to second plates (130). Displacement device (150) has a stack of metallic layers (154), voltage variable material blocks (152), and voltage supply terminals (170) and (180). Voltage differences are established across voltage variable material blocks (152) using voltage supply terminals (170) and (180). A voltage difference causes a voltage variable material layer to change thickness, and this causes first plate (120) to move relative to second plate (130). Voltage variable material is selected from a group of piezoelectric ceramics, which can include lead-titanate (PbTiO.sub.3), lead-zirconate (PbZrO.sub.3), barium-titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), and lead-zirconate-titanate (PbZr.sub.x Ti.sub.1-x O.

Abstract: A phased array antenna (1000) is formed using a number of independently controllable piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) which results in a low cost phased array antenna that is functional at microwave and/or millimeter wave frequencies. In addition, the independently controllable piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) have sufficient phase range to allow a single antenna to be steered over a wide angle field of view. Piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) comprise at least one-voltage variable capacitor (1310, 1320, FIG. 2). Typically, the piezoelectric material used in the voltage variable capacitors is selected from a group consisting of lead-titanate (PbTiO.sub.3), lead-zirconate (PbZrO.sub.3), barium-titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), and lead-zirconate-titanate (PbZr.sub.x Ti.sub.1-x O.sub.3), where x varies from zero to one.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic transformer made from a piezoelectric ceramic material stacked in a multilayer package which has a driving section 502 formed by alternately stacking piezoelectric ceramic layers polarized in a direction of thickness of the piezoelectric plate. The driving section 502 has internal interdigitated electrode layers 504A, 504B for causing piezoelectric vibration by a driving voltage applied to an input terminal (Vin). A first driven section 506, also made from piezoelectric ceramic layers polarized in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric plate, for generating a first output voltage (Vout1) at a first output by the piezoelectric vibration transmitted from the driving section 502. A second driven section 510, made from piezoelectric ceramic layers polarized in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric plate, for generating a second output voltage (Vout2) at a second output by the piezoelectric vibration transmitted from the driving section 502.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer with voltage feedback is disclosed. The transformer comprises a piezoelectric plate of predetermined length, width and height with a driving section formed by alternately stacking a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic layers having internal interdigitated electrode layers. A driven section including an unpolarized dielectric section, a voltage feedback section in the form of a multilayer electrode structure or an outer strip, and a normally polarized dielectric section is also disclosed. The transformer generates an output voltage at an output terminal by the piezoelectric vibration transmitted from the driving section. A feedback control circuit is connected to the voltage feedback section. The isolated voltage feedback provides feedback control to keep the transformer operating at the proper resonant frequency even as there is a change in output load of the transformer.

Abstract: A hospital support cart for supporting intravenous fluid dispensing systems includes a rectangular frame having a lower base with multiple corners and an upper table with a work surface thereon spaced above the base, the base and the work surface provide generally rectangular periphery. The work surface table provides X and Y axes that intersect at the center of the table work surface and which respectively bisect two parallel sides of the work surface. Each of the axes is parallel to two sides of the table work surface. A plurality of telescoping fluid container support poles are supported by the frame each being vertically oriented and including at least two poles being placed on opposite sides of the Y axis and at least one pole that is placed on one side of the X axis. The frame is preferably wheeled so that the apparatus can be moved about a hospital room or the like.

Abstract: A laser tuning method for tuning a ceramic passband filter comprises forming an untuned filter that includes at least one metallized element, such as a resonator pad, formed of an undersized metal plate. A thick film of a metal powder paste is applied to the filter adjacent to the undersized plate. The paste film is scanned with a laser beam to sinter the metal particles into an integral plate, thereby adjusting the size and shape of the element to obtain a desired performance characteristic. In one aspect of this invention, an output signal in response to a test signal is monitored while laser scanning the paste film, whereupon the laser beam is discontinued when the desired characteristic has been obtained.