Abstract: A self-structuring antenna system comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of switch elements arranged with the antenna elements to, when selectively closed, electrically couple ones of the antenna elements to one another, and a switch controller for opening and closing the switch elements. The switch controller is operatively associated with the plurality of switch elements via a plurality of addressable switch controllers.

Abstract: A self-structuring hybrid antenna with multiple self-structuring subsystems is disclosed for receiving and/or transmitting radio frequency signals. The subsystems include a self-structuring signal feed subsystem and a variable impedance element subsystem. A signal feed circuit is coupled with the antenna circuit. A performance-adjusting device includes the self-structuring hybrid antenna selectively interconnecting its switching circuit elements, a self-structuring feed subsystem selectively interconnecting the antenna circuit and the feed circuit, and variable impedance switch elements disposed in the antenna circuit or the signal feed circuit.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements, switching elements, and transmission feed lines disposed on a rear window glass. The switching elements are arranged with the antenna elements and transmission feed lines to, when selectively closed, electrically couple selected antenna elements and transmission feed lines to one another to generate an antenna configuration selected from a plurality of antenna configurations. A non-volatile memory is configured to store data representing at least some of the plurality of antenna configurations. A control arrangement is operatively coupled to the switching elements and is configured to close selected switching elements as a function of the data stored in said memory. The system is selectively updated as a function of previously selected antenna configurations.

Abstract: A wireless diagnostic monitoring system and a method for monitoring wireless devices are provided. The system includes at least one wireless device having a first RF transceiver and a first microprocessor operably coupled to the first RF transceiver. The wireless device is configured to transmit an RF signal having a diagnostic message having operational status information associated with the wireless device and a unique identifier identifying the wireless device. The system further includes a monitoring device having a second RF transceiver and a second microprocessor operably coupled to the second RF transceiver. The second RF transceiver is configured to receiver the RF signal. The second microprocessor is configured to determine an operational task to perform based on the operational status information. The second microprocessor is further configured to store data associated with the operational task in a memory device.

Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system includes at least one antenna element and an adaptable frequency-selective-surface responsive to operating characteristics of the at least one antenna element and/or surrounding environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting soot and/or water concentrations in diesel engine oil having a dielectric constant may include a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a first frequency, a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a second frequency and a processor configured to calculate at least one of a percentage of soot content and a percentage of water content as a function of the measured changes in the dielectric constant at the first and second frequencies. The first frequency may be within approximately the ultrasonic and sub-AM frequency bands and the second frequency may be within approximately the microwave frequency band.

Abstract: A self-structuring antenna (SSA) system employs a memory device to store switch states for antenna configurations that are determined to produce acceptable antenna characteristics. Each antenna configuration corresponds to a respective combination of switch states known as a switch configuration. Using the stored antenna configurations as a starting point for the process of searching for an antenna configuration that produces acceptable antenna characteristics under particular operating conditions may reduce the search time.

Abstract: A method by which contaminant (soot) content in Diesel engine oil is determined using electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency, or by which contaminant (soot and/or water and/or anitfreeze) content is determined using the ratio of electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency to the electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a low frequency. Both the conductivity ratio and the high frequency conductivity are essentially independent of the brand of oil. High frequency is defined to be above 2 MHz whereas low frequency is defined to be D.C. to about 1 kHz.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the concentration of soot particles in engine oil. A microwave signal having a varying frequency is applied to a transmission line having a probe tip exposed to the engine oil. A voltage is read at a stationary detection point along the length of the transmission line for each applied frequency. The applied frequency when the probe voltage is equal to a null voltage of a standing wave within the transmission line is compared to a reference frequency determined when the probe voltage is equal to a null voltage for a known concentration of soot particles. The concentration is calculated based upon the result of the comparison. Preferably, a reference probe receives the same input signal. A known relationship between the reference probe and the transmission line is then used to eliminate temperature effects on the applied frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for locally restricting use of electronic devices in limited areas, and at the same time accommodating emergency situations. The system comprises means for transmitting a signal representing at least one restriction code; means for defining a restricted area operationally coupled with the transmitting means to define the restricted area, and means for restricting operation of electronic devices within the restricted area. The means for defining a restricted area may include an omnidirectional antenna or a directional antenna, or may be operationally coupled with a global positioning system. The transmitting means may be integrated with a cellular phone service system, which communicates on a plurality of control channels and a plurality of voice channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an accumulation of particles with a medium such as the soot content in diesel engine oil including generating a first waveform at a first frequency and a first voltage level to produce a standing wave having a voltage null point where at least a portion of the standing wave is passed within a portion of the oil. Generating a second waveform at a second frequency and a second voltage level to place a signal associated with a second voltage null point at a detection location for determining the signal's null point voltage level. The percentage soot content of the oil may be determined by taking the ratio of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage over the null point voltage at the detection point. This ratio is indicative of the percentage soot content. The first and second waveforms may be produced by a variable frequency microwave source that is coupled with a coaxial cable have a probe affixed to its distal end for immersion in the oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an accumulation of particles with a medium such as the soot content in diesel engine oil including generating a first waveform at a first frequency and a first voltage level to produce a standing wave having a voltage null point where at least a portion of the standing wave is passed within a portion of the oil. Generating a second waveform at a second frequency and a second voltage level to place a signal associated with a second voltage null point at a detection location for determining the signal's null point voltage level. The percentage soot content of the oil may be determined by taking the ratio of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage over the null point voltage at the detection point. This ratio is indicative of the percentage soot content. The first and second waveforms may be produced by a variable frequency microwave source that is coupled with a coaxial cable have a probe affixed to its distal end for immersion in the oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting soot and/or water concentrations in diesel engine oil having a dielectric constant may include a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a first frequency, a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a second frequency and a processor configured to calculate at least one of a percentage of soot content and a percentage of water content as a function of the measured changes in the dielectric constant at the first and second frequencies. The first frequency may be within approximately the ultrasonic and sub-AM frequency bands and the second frequency may be within approximately the microwave frequency band.

Abstract: A method by which contaminant (soot) content in Diesel engine oil is determined using electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency, or by which contaminant (soot and/or water and/or anitfreeze) content is determined using the ratio of electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency to the electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a low frequency. Both the conductivity ratio and the high frequency conductivity are essentially independent of the brand of oil. High frequency is defined to be above 2 MHz whereas low frequency is defined to be D.C. to about 1 kHz.

Abstract: A vehicle antenna comprises a transparent, electrically conducting, film between the inner and outer glass sheets of a vehicle window. The film comprises a horizontally elongate principal element substantially parallel to and spaced from the upper edge portion of the window aperture and having an effective horizontal length of an odd multiple of one quarter of a predetermined wavelength and an impedance matching element. The impedance matching element comprises a main portion having a peripheral edge with a horizontal upper portion spaced below the principal element and a remainder spaced from the remaining edge portion of the window aperture so as to form a slot transmission line having an effective length of one half the wavelength, which is preferably in the commercial FM band. The impedance matching element further comprises a narrow vertical portion connecting the main portion to the principal element, so that the slot transmission line is parasitically coupled to the principal element.

Abstract: A thin film antenna for a vehicle antenna is described. The principal element of the antenna is formed of a thin transparent film of conducting material having a horizontally elongate generally rectangular shape. The principal element is supported on or within the upper region of a vehicle window and is electrically fed with respect to a ground point on the vehicle body to effect coupling with the metallic structure of the vehicle and enhance antenna performance. An optional auxiliary element can be attached to the principal element to provide a means for tuning the impedance of the antenna.

Abstract: A slot antenna is disclosed for a horizontal dielectric vehicle door in which the ground plane of the antenna sheet does not connect with or overlap the surrounding electrically conducting vehicle body panels but which nevertheless maintains significant RF currents at FM frequencies through the vertical roof pillars of the vehicle. This is accomplished by the formation of a parasitic slot surrounding the antenna slot in the gap between the sheet and the surrounding sheet metal at the trunk opening. The parasitic slot has a first portion of length substantially the same as that of the antenna slot and a similar width and a second portion of a greater width effective to comprise an open circuit for currents. Thus the total effective length of the parasitic slot is equal to that of the antenna slot for similar resulting current flow from the decklid area through the vertical roof pillars; and the desirable FM performance is preserved.

Abstract: An FM antenna for a vehicle with a ground plane comprising a horizontal roof having supporting pillars at the front and rear corners comprises a side fed, looped, annular slot antenna in the roof of loop length substantially one wavelength in the commercial FM broadcasting band, the slot antenna being displaced from the center of the roof toward one of the front and rear of the roof.

Abstract: Slot antenna apparatus for the roof of a motor vehicle having a central electrically non-conducting portion comprises a horizontal sheet of electrically conducting material under the central portion of the roof. The sheet includes a looped slot having a total loop length of substantially one wavelength in the commercial FM broadcasting band and dividing the sheet into inner and outer portions. A coaxial feed cable adapted for connection at its lower end to AM-FM radio receiver apparatus is routed up one of the vertical pillers to the roof portion of the body and across the roof portion to the center front of the slot to feed the antenna at its front center relative to the vehicle body. A ground conductor connects the outer portion of the horizontal sheet to a point on the vehicle body comprising a voltage null in the vehicle body standing voltage pattern to provide a DC ground and an RF ground at commercial AM broadcast frequencies.

Abstract: Slot antenna apparatus for a motor vehicle roof having a central portion made of electrically non-conducting material comprises a horizontal sheet of electrically conducting material attached to the roof with a looped slot adjacent the central portion of the roof dividing the sheet into inner and outer portions and having a total loop length of substantially one wavelength in the commercial FM broadcasting band. Antenna feed means are provided at the front center of the slot for FM receiver apparatus and at the side center of the slot essentially 90 degrees rotated from the front center of the slot for AM receiver apparatus. The AM and FM feeds may be connected by coaxial cable to AM and FM tuners in a common radio receiver in the vehicle dashboard; or separate AM and FM portions of the receiver may be installed adjacent the appropriate antenna feeds. The antenna is grounded at DC and in both the AM and FM commercial frequency bands.