Abstract: A blood pressure sensor includes a source of photo-radiation, such as an array of laser diodes. The sensor also includes a two-dimensional, flexible reflective surface. The reflective surface is nominally positioned relative to the radiation source such that the radiation travels in a direction normal to the reflective surface. The reflective surface is placed adjacent to the location on the patient where the blood pressure data is to be acquired. Radiation from the source is reflected off of the reflective surface onto a two-dimensional array of photo-detectors. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fluctuations in the patient are translated into deflections of the patient's skin. These deflections cause corresponding deflections in the two dimensional reflective surface. The associated movement of said flexible reflective surface due to blood pulsation causes scattering patterns from said reflective surface to be detected by the two dimensional array of photo-detectors.

Abstract: This invention uses a portable computer housing with a battery holder connected directly onto this battery housing. This arrangement does away with the need for cumbersome connecting cables or wires and places the battery at a location where it could be easily changed or removed. The housing and holder have mating electrical connectors so that they can be in electrical connection without need for wires, cables or other clumsy connectors.

Abstract: A wireless, programmable system for bio-potential signal acquisition (e.g., electrocardiogram (ECG) data) includes a base unit and a plurality of individual wireless, remotely programmable transceivers that connect to patch electrodes. The base unit manages the transceivers by issuing registration, configuration, data acquisition, and transmission commands using wireless techniques. Bio-potential signals from the wireless transceivers are demultiplexed and supplied via a standard interface to a conventional monitor for display.

Abstract: This invention uses a portable computer housing with a battery holder connected directly onto this battery housing. This arrangement does away with the need for cumbersome connecting cables or wires and places the battery at a location where it could be easily changed or removed. The housing and holder have mating electrical connectors so that they can be in electrical connection without need for wires, cables or other clumsy connectors.

Abstract: A process for the production of solid polymeric or composite substrates having surfaces with enhanced release properties is described. The process comprises (a) surface activation and (b) surface silylation and room temperature vulcanization (RTV) curing of the surface of a solid polymeric or composite substrate.

Abstract: A wireless, programmable system for bio-potential signal acquisition (e.g., electrocardiogram (ECG) data) includes a base unit and a plurality of individual wireless, remotely programmable transceivers that connect to patch electrodes. The base unit manages the transceivers by issuing registration, configuration, data acquisition, and transmission commands using wireless techniques. Bio-potential signals from the wireless transceivers are demultiplexed and supplied via a standard interface to a conventional monitor for display.

Abstract: An optical sensor generates blood pressure data by obtaining two dimensional images of the surface of the patient's body, such as in the vicinity of the radial artery in the wrist area. Blood flow in the patient causes light to be reflected off a flexible reflective surface applied against the patient with a hold down pressure, and the scattering of light is sensed with a two-dimensional array of photo-detectors. The output of the photo-detectors during systolic and diastolic events is calibrated against known blood pressure measurements taken with a conventional air-cuff sphygmomanometer. Linear calibration relationships between output signal and blood pressure are obtained during calibration for some set of the photo-detectors. When blood pressure data is obtained from the patient, the linear calibration relationship between output signals and blood pressure is applied to the output signals from the set of photo-detectors, resulting in blood pressure data.

Abstract: A wireless, programmable system for medical monitoring includes a base unit and a plurality of individual wireless, remotely programmable biosensor transceivers. The base unit manages the transceivers by issuing registration, configuration, data acquisition, and transmission commands using wireless techniques. Physiologic data from the wireless transceivers is demultiplexed and supplied via a standard interface to a conventional monitor for display. Initialization, configuration, registration, and management routines for the wireless transceivers and the base unit are also described.

Abstract: A wireless, programmable system for medical monitoring includes a base unit and a plurality of individual wireless, remotely programmable biosensor transceivers. The base unit manages the transceivers by issuing registration, configuration, data acquisition, and transmission commands using wireless techniques. Physiologic data from the wireless transceivers is demultiplexed and supplied via a standard interface to a conventional monitor for display. Initialization, configuration, registration, and management routines for the wireless transceivers and the base unit are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides a single unit called a personal communicator that combines the functions of a cell phone (or mobile phone), a body-supported computer and a pager.

Abstract: This is a battery holder that is made up of two compartments, each compartment will house half of the battery. In other words, it takes the two compartments to make up the full battery housing. Each compartment is movably connected to the other so that the housing can be easily opened when adding or removing a battery.

Abstract: A device (100) includes detachable main and auxiliary batteries (101, 102) and a circuit (310) for discharging and charging the batteries (101, 102). Discharging is accomplished by an auxiliary switch (420) that connects the auxiliary battery (102) to power the device (100), a detector (422), and a main switch (424) that connects the main battery (101) to power the device (100), without interruption, when the auxiliary battery (102) drops below a predetermined voltage (508) as determined by a detector (422). Charging is performed by switches (440, 442, 446), an internal charger (444), and a controller (306). When both batteries (101, 102) are attached, the controller (306) uses the switches (440, 442, 446) to select and couple charging current generated by the internal charger (444) to the main battery (101). Once charged, the controller (306) switches to charge the auxiliary battery (102).

Abstract: A bidirectional voltage translator (102) includes a first port (200/400), a second port (202/402) and a bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) coupled between the first and second ports (200/400,202/402). The first and second ports (200/400,202/402) communicate signals at a first voltage level and a second voltage level, respectively. The second voltage level is different from the first voltage level. When a first port signal input at the first voltage level at the first port (200/400) is detected, the bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) translates the first port signal into the second voltage level at the second port (202/402) and disables translation of a signal at the second port (202/402) to the first port (200/400).

Abstract: A portable cellular radiotelephone (100), which is powered by main and auxiliary batteries (101, 102) in an operating state. The main and auxiliary batteries (101, 102) include respective memories (402, 410) for storing a 64- bit registration number and 1024 bits of data for identifying the type and brand of such batteries. Memories (402, 410) store a laser-engraved 64-bit registration number and 1024 bits of data. In order to uniquely identify the batteries (101, 102), the 64-bit registration number includes a twelve-bit brand code having a predetermined brand code value and an eight-bit type code having a predetermined type code value, and the 1024 bits of data include a unique multi-character message. By identifying the unique brand code, type code and multi-character message when a battery is inserted into portable device (100), it can be insured that the portable device (100) will be operated with a reliable and safe battery. Otherwise, the portable device is turned off and the battery is not charged.

Abstract: A device (100) includes detachable main and auxiliary batteries (101, 102) and a circuit (310) for discharging and charging the batteries (101, 102). Discharging is accomplished by an auxiliary switch (420) that connects the auxiliary battery (102) to power the device (100), a detector (422), and a main switch (424) that connects the main battery (101) to power the device (100), without interruption, when the auxiliary battery (102) drops below a predetermined voltage (508) as determined by a detector (422). Charging is performed by switches (440, 442, 446), an internal charger (444), and a controller (306). When both batteries (101, 102) are attached, the controller (306) uses the switches (440, 442, 446) to select and couple charging current generated by the internal charger (444) to the main battery (101). Once charged, the controller (306) switches to charge the auxiliary battery (102).

Abstract: A bi-directional voltage translator (102) includes a first port (300/302), a second port (302/300), and a switch circuit (310). The first port (300/302) communicates a first signal at a first voltage or a second voltage (V.sub.1 /V.sub.2). The second port (302/300) communicates a second signal at the first voltage or a third voltage (V.sub.2 /V.sub.1). The second and third voltages (V.sub.1 /V.sub.2) are different. The switch circuit (310) is coupled to the first port (300/302) and the second port (302/300). The switch circuit (310), responsive to the first signal at the first voltage and the second signal at the third voltage (V.sub.2/ V.sub.1), communicates to the second port (302/300) the second signal at the first voltage. The switch circuit (310), responsive to the second signal at the first voltage and the first signal at the second voltage (V.sub.1 /V.sub.2), communicates to the first port (300/302) the first signal at the first voltage.

Abstract: Processing of dispatch calls in a simulcast multisite communication system (100) begins when a source communication unit transmits a message to one or more network receivers. The received signals are analyzed immediately at the received sites for signal quality (508). Each of the signals are time stamped (510) to identify when they were received. The signal quality is then compared to the signal quality of previously transmitted highest quality signals (514). If the signal quality is of higher quality than previously transmitted highest quality signals (516), the received signals are transported with their time stamp and signal quality metric to each of the other sites via a digital communication network connecting the sites (522). Each site now performs a transmit operation by first determining the receiver source with the highest quality signal as indicated by the signal quality metric (606).

Abstract: Processing of dispatch calls in a simulcast multi-site communication system begins when a source communication unit transmits a message to one or more network receivers. The received signals are analyzed at the received sites to determine a signal quality metric. Each of the signals are time stamped to identify when they where received. The received signals are transported with their time stamp and signal quality metric to each of the other sites via a digital communication network connecting the sites. Each transmitter site performs a transmit operation by first determining the receiver source with the best quality signal as indicated by the signal quality metric. The determined best quality signal is stored until it is time to transmit the signal in phase with all the other transmitter sites in a simulcast manner. The time stamp allows a time in the future to be chosen to accommodate the worst case expected transport delay through the digital network.

Abstract: Determining transmit time of a received signal in a simulcast multi-site communication system begins when a communication unit transmits a message to one or more network receivers. The receivers transport the received signal with a time stamp to a master transceiver in the network via a digital communication network. The master transceiver then determines a launch time for transmission of a selected received signal, wherein the launch time is based on a previously executed procedure to determine the inbound and outbound delays in the simulcast multi-site communication system. Finally, the master transceiver transports the selected received signal with the launch time to other transceivers assigned to the call, wherein the transceivers transmit the selected received signal at the launch time.