Abstract: A virtual reality imaging system for two or more users including: at least one screen for presenting images of a virtual environment to two or more users; an imaging assembly, including two or more sets of projectors corresponding to the two or more users for producing images on the at least one screen; a tracking system that is configured to track each of the two or more users; a computer that is programmed to produce stereo 3D images of the virtual environment corresponding to tracking data from the tracking system for phone providing different views of the same virtual environment; stereo 3D glasses arranged to provide stereo 3D images; and an image separation arrangement whereby each user sees images emanating from a corresponding one of the sets of projectors only.

Abstract: A virtual reality imaging system for two or more users including: at least one screen for presenting images of a virtual environment to two or more users; an imaging assembly, including two or more sets of projectors corresponding to the two or more users for producing images on the at least one screen; a tracking system that is configured to track each of the two or more users; a computer that is programmed to produce stereo 3D images of the virtual environment corresponding to tracking data from the tracking system for phone providing different views of the same virtual environment; stereo 3D glasses arranged to provide stereo 3D images; and an image separation arrangement whereby each user sees images emanating from a corresponding one of the sets of projectors only.

Abstract: A method is provided for rendering a three dimensional scene upon an electronic processor based system such as a computer, cellular phone, games console or other device. The method involves rendering a three dimensional scene by activating pixels of an electronic display device using a perspective projection for some portions of the scene and an orthogonal projection for others. A far less computationally expensive orthogonal projection is used for rendering other portions of the scene which meet a predetermined condition. The method results in a rendered scene displayed by pixels of the display device that appears overall to have been realistically rendered using a perspective transformation. However, since portions of the rendered scene have been rendered using an orthogonal projection, the method is computationally less expensive than rendering using only perspective projection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.

Abstract: A computer graphics method is provided for implementation upon an electronic processor based system such as a computer, cellular phone, games console or other device. The method involves rendering a three dimensional scene i.e. by activating pixels of an electronic display device of the system, using a perspective projection for some portions of the scene and an orthogonal projection for others. Perspective projection is used in respect of those portions of the scene for which a noticeable difference would occur between rendering in perspective projection and rendering with an orthogonal projection. A far less computationally expensive orthogonal projection is used for rendering other portions of the scene which meet a predetermined condition. The method results in a rendered scene displayed by pixels of the display device that appears overall to have been realistically rendered using a perspective transformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.

Abstract: The invention relates to bimetallic leaf spring devices (100) that are responsive to changes in temperature, and methods of constructing and utilizing such devices. In one embodiment, the invention includes a clamping apparatus including a first strip (110) of a first material and a second strip (120) of a second material. The second strip (120) may be attached to the first strip (110) at least two attachment locations. The second strip (120) may be spaced apart from the first strip (110) at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and at least one of the first material and the second material may include a thermally expansive material.

Abstract: The invention relates to bimetallic leaf spring devices (100) that are responsive to changes in temperature, and methods of constructing and utilizing such devices. In one embodiment, the invention includes a clamping apparatus including a first strip (110) of a first material and a second strip (120) of a second material. The second strip (120) may be attached to the first strip (110) at least two attachment locations. The second strip (120) may be spaced apart from the first strip (110) at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and at least one of the first material and the second material may include a thermally expansive material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.

Abstract: An improved calibration system for a receiver is configured to calibrate the I and Q paths to correct for gain mismatch and quadrature phase errors. In a preferred embodiment, the calibration system calibrates the I and Q paths by using a calibration signal and a reference signal coherently generated from the same single frequency source. The calibration signal is input into the receiver and propagated along the I and Q paths of the receiver simultaneously with a received signal. The reference signal coherently extracts the calibration signal from the I and Q paths. The resulting calibration signals include a component at zero frequency that can be used to measure the phase and gain error. The calibration system is configured to adaptively calibrate the gain and phase error by iteratively measuring the gain and phase error and reducing it to the desired level or eliminating it altogether.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of an LED security system and method. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises: (a) a first device comprising means for generating light having specific wavelengths; and (b) a second device comprising: (i) a plurality of light emitting diodes capable of receiving light having specific wavelengths and generating corresponding first electrical signals; (ii) means for amplifying the first electrical signals; (iii) means for providing encoding logic, wherein the means for providing encoding logic receives the amplified first electrical signals, determines whether the amplified first electrical signals correspond to a predetermined encoded sequence, and provides at least a second signal if the amplified first electrical signals correspond to the predetermined encoded sequence; and (iv) a power source in electrical connection to the means for amplifying the first signals and the means for providing encoding logic.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O2 content, physical position, electrical potential, etc.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna is implemented using a modular array element module. The array element module comprises an antenna element of the adaptive antenna. The antenna element has a weighting circuit which is coupled to a previous weighting circuit within a previous array element module in a concatenated manner. The weighting circuit is configured to apply a complex weight to antenna samples and to add the result to the output of the previous weighting circuit. The antenna element is also coupled to a cross-correlation measurement circuit configured to cross-correlate antenna samples with adaptation error samples to provide cross-correlation measurement samples to a controller which determines a weight applied by the weighting circuit.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna is implemented using a plurality of modular array element modules. Each array element module comprises an antenna element of the adaptive antenna. Each antenna element is coupled to a weighting circuit is also coupled to a previous weighting circuit within a previous array element module in a concatenated manner. Each weighting circuit is configured to apply a complex weight to the antenna samples and add the result to the output of the previous weighting circuit. Each antenna element is also coupled to a cross-correlation measurement circuit configured to cross-correlate antenna samples with adaptation error samples to provide cross-correlation measurement samples to a controller which determines a weight applied by the weighting circuit.

Abstract: An improved calibration system for a receiver is configured to calibrate the I and Q paths to correct for gain mismatch and quadrature phase errors. In a preferred embodiment, the calibration system calibrates the I and Q paths by using a calibration signal and a reference signal coherently generated from the same single frequency source. The calibration signal is input into the receiver and propagated along the I and Q paths of the receiver simultaneously with a received signal. The reference signal coherently extracts the calibration signal from the I and Q paths. The resulting calibration signals include a component at zero frequency that can be used to measure the phase and gain error. The calibration system is configured to adaptively calibrate the gain and phase error by iteratively measuring the gain and phase error and reducing it to the desired level or eliminating it altogether.

Abstract: A digital equalizer and equalization method for a spread spectrum communication link that has a dispersive channel and other systems that process signals having a sufficient degree of redundancy in time and/or phase. No training signal is required, except for an initialization bit sequence. The receiver incorporating the equalizer uses correlation over a bit time between a received signal, that includes data modulation, and a locally generated spreading signal that does not. The output of the correlator is a set of complex digital samples (I and Q-channel) taken at the spreading sequence bit rate. In the absence of multipath dispersion, there is perfect cross-correlation function, and hence only one large sample per transmitted data symbol. With multipath dispersion, the received energy is spread over two or more samples of the correlation.

Abstract: A spread spectrum transmitter uses simultaneous pseudorandom shifts of the transmitted carrier phase and receive local oscillator phases by 90 or 45 degrees and/or pseudorandom time shifts of the transmitted and receiver chip timing by half a chip duration to limit the coherent integration of carrier and chip rate detectors at an intercept receiver attempting to detect the transmissions. Direct sequence spread spectrum signals are intercepted and identified using an intercept receiver by recovering a spectral line corresponding to their carrier frequency or to their direct pseudo-noise chip rate. The conventional use of a phase shift with a fixed carrier frequency and/or a chip time shift with a fixed chip rate simplifies the design of the intercept receiver because the receiver is optimized to a single carrier frequency and chip rate.