Abstract: A packaged semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor sub strate having formed thereon: radio-frequency (RF) input and output contact pads, DC contact pads, and first and second amplifier stages. An input of the first amplifier stage is coupled with the RF input contact pad. An input and an output of the second amplifier stage are respectively coupled to an output of the first amplifier stage and the RF output contact pad. The DC contact pads and the input of the first amplifier stages are connected via an input bias coupling path. The outputs of the amplifier stages are connected via an output bias coupling path. The chip further includes a lead frame having RF input and output pins electrically coupled to the RF input and output contact pads, and input bias pins electrically coupled to the DC contact pad.

Abstract: A detachable audio device structured to be coupled to an interface port of a computer system simulates the coupling and uncoupling of an audio controller to trigger an operating system being executed by a processing device of the computer system to select between an audio driver for that same audio controller and another audio driver for a different audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access, thus triggering a selection between causing audio played by the computer system to be acoustically output through either an acoustic driver to which the detachable audio device relays the audio or another acoustic driver associated with the other audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for programming a universal remote control. The method includes receiving a transmitted signal of unknown modulation technique from a native remote control and characterizing the received signal in parameters of a pre-determined modulation technique.

Abstract: A detachable audio device structured to be coupled to an interface port of a computer system simulates the coupling and uncoupling of an audio controller to trigger an operating system being executed by a processing device of the computer system to select between an audio driver for that same audio controller and another audio driver for a different audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access, thus triggering a selection between causing audio played by the computer system to be acoustically output through either an acoustic driver to which the detachable audio device relays the audio or another acoustic driver associated with the other audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access.

Abstract: A detachable audio device structured to be coupled to an interface port of a computer system simulates the coupling and uncoupling of an audio controller to trigger an operating system being executed by a processing device of the computer system to select between an audio driver for that same audio controller and another audio driver for a different audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access, thus triggering a selection between causing audio played by the computer system to be acoustically output through either an acoustic driver to which the detachable audio device relays the audio or another acoustic driver associated with the other audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access.

Abstract: A detachable audio device structured to be coupled to an interface port of a computer system simulates the coupling and uncoupling of an audio controller to trigger an operating system being executed by a processing device of the computer system to select between an audio driver for that same audio controller and another audio driver for a different audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access, thus triggering a selection between causing audio played by the computer system to be acoustically output through either an acoustic driver to which the detachable audio device relays the audio or another acoustic driver associated with the other audio controller to which the processing device of the computer system has access.

Abstract: A method for an audio system controls a number of audio devices from a master device over a wired network for at least one wired audio device and over a wireless network for at least one wireless device. The method receives a reply in response to a poll message from each of the wired audio devices and aggregate polling information indicative of the state of the wireless devices from one of the wireless devices.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods of sensing or monitoring body orientation and motion and measuring range of motion (ROM) for use in athletic training and physical rehabilitation and evaluation. The apparatus includes a 3-axis sensor, at least one memory, and at least one processor, and is attachable to an object to be monitored. The 3-axis sensor senses a magnitude of tilt along each of a first, second, and third axis, the memory stores data representing the sensed magnitudes of tilt, and the processor processes the data stored in the memory. In one embodiment, the processor determines an angle between each of the first, second, and third axes and a horizontal plane, and selects the two axes corresponding to the two smallest angles between the three axes and the horizontal plane. The processor then generates an indication of the orientation of the object based upon the sensed magnitudes of tilt along the two selected axes.

Abstract: An audio system may include a plurality of sound reproduction devices characterized by parameter values; a plurality of audio signal sources characterized by parameter values; a plurality of remote control devices, a system controller, constructed and arranged to wirelessly receive command signals from the remote control devices and to wirelessly transmit parameter values of audio signal sources and of sound reproduction sources to the remote control device. The remote control devices are constructed and arranged for wirelessly transmitting command signals to the system controller and for wirelessly receiving parameter values and displaying parameter values. The remote control devices are being further constructed and arranged to transmit command signals to and receive parameter values from a system controller that is separated from remote control.

Abstract: High molecular weight buffering compositions and polymeric buffering compositions incorporating such compositions are described. The compositions are useful in applications where lower molecular weight buffers are unsatisfactory because of their tendency to leak out of an encapsulating membrane. Methods of making such compositions are described, as well as a particular application in a fiber optic carbon dioxide physiological probe.

Abstract: High molecular weight buffering compositions and polymeric buffering compositions incorporating such compositions are described. The compositions are useful in applications where lower molecular weight buffers are unsatisfactory because of their tendency to leak out of an encapsulating membrane. Methods of making such compositions are described, as well as a particular application in a fiber optic carbon dioxide physiological probe.

Abstract: High molecular weight buffering compositions and polymeric buffering compositions incorporating such compositions are described. The compositions are useful in applications where lower molecular weight buffers are unsatisfactory because of their tendency to leak out of an encapsulating membrane. Methods of making such compositions are described, as well as a particular application in a fiber optic carbon dioxide physiological probe.

Abstract: Fiber optic sensors suitable for monitoring physiological analyte concentrations are described. The sensors include analyte permeable matrices disposed in a light path defined by the axial core at one end of an optical fiber segment. The matrix contains an indicator molecule covalently linked to a polymer or admixed with the polymer. The indicator molecule may be an absorptive molecule or a luminescent molecule. pH, PCO.sub.2, and PO.sub.2 sensors are described and may be disposed together in substantially coterminal arrangement to make a multivariable probe.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring analyte concentration in fluids using fiber optic sensors that include analyte permeable matrices disposed in a light path at one end of an optical fiber waveguide. The analyte permeable matrix includes an indicator molecular capable of responding to the analyte in an optically detectable manner. The absorbance or emission from the analyte permeable matrix after irradiation is used to determine the concentration of the analyte in the fluid as a function of the measured absorbance or emission. Methods for manufacturing fiber optic sensors useful in a method of monitoring analyte concentration in a fluid include casting a polymer film that includes an indicator molecule capable of responding to the analyte in an optically detectable manner. Disks or pellets are punched from the film and applied to the end of an optical fiber waveguide.

Abstract: Fiber-optic sensors suitable for monitoring physiological analyte concentration. An analyte-permeable matrix is disposed in the light path defined by the axial core at one end of an optical fiber segment. The matrix contains an indicator molecule covalently linked to a polymer, preferably methyl methacrylate/methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, N-vinylpyrrolidone/p-aminostyrene, methyl methacrylate/hydroxymethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate/N-vinylpyrrolidone, or methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid. In representative embodiments, the polymer is approximately 94:6 mole/mole percent of either methyl methacrylate/methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride or N-vinylpyrrolidone/p-aminostyrene copolymer. Drift-free performance is obtained with such sensors having analyte-permeable matrices of significantly less than about 70 microns in thickness.