Abstract: Authentication method and systems using RFID-enabled payment cards are disclosed herein where a server receives a request corresponding to authorization of a payment associated with a payment card from an electronic terminal. The server identifies an electronic device of a user associated with the payment card. The server then transmits an instruction to the electronic device to cause an RFID reader of the electronic device to determine whether an RFID tag corresponding to the payment card is located within a predetermined proximity to the electronic device. When the payment card is located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a first authentication protocol. Moreover, when the payment card is not located within the predetermined proximity, the server executes a second authentication protocol, wherein the second authentication protocol is more restrictive than the first authentication protocol.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a first computing device comprising ultra-wideband communication circuitry, and a second computing device comprising ultra-wideband communication circuitry configured to communicate with the ultra-wideband communication circuitry of the first computing device to determine the angle and distance of the first computing device relative to the second computing device.

Abstract: A medicine container carrier includes an carrier base, a medicine container carousel having multiple container cavities provided in the carrier base and multiple container engaging assemblies provided on the medicine container carousel at the container cavities, respectively.

Abstract: A medicine container carrier includes an carrier base, a medicine container carousel having multiple container cavities provided in the carrier base and multiple container engaging assemblies provided on the medicine container carousel at the container cavities, respectively.

Abstract: A method for downward communication in a borehole containing a pipe string, comprising the steps of: imparting a series of rotary motions to an upper portion of the string, the rotary motions representing at least two levels of a coded data sequence, the rotary motions imparted to a string upper portion effecting generally comparable motions at a lower portion of the string; the motions at the string lower portion effecting a downhole detectable condition or conditions indicative of rotation or no-rotation; detecting the condition or conditions to determine a corresponding coded data sequence; and processing corresponding data sequence to recover the imparted coded data sequence, from which a unique transmitted message is determinable.

Abstract: An equalization system and method. In a most general sense, the inventive equalization system includes first and second filters for filtering an in-phase component of a received signal in accordance with first and second sets of coefficients, respectively. The system includes third and fourth filters for filtering a quadrature component of the input signal in accordance with third and fourth sets of coefficients, respectively. The outputs of the first and third filters are subtracted to provide an equalized in-phase output signal and the outputs of the second and fourth filters are added to provide an equalized quadrature output signal. In the illustrative embodiment the filters are finite impulse response filters and the coefficients are provided by a microprocessor. In accordance with the present teachings, the filters are implemented in a general purpose filter. The delay elements of the filters are calculated in accordance with a mean square error algorithm.

Abstract: A versatile signal processor. The inventive signal processor includes a plurality of filters which are selectively interconnected to provide a variety of digital signal processing functions. In the illustrative embodiment, each filter is adapted to multiply input data by a coefficient. Further, each filter includes adders for accumulating the products. The coefficients are provided by an external processor which configures the general purpose filter to a particular function, such as a general purpose filter, a Hilbert filter, a finite impulse response filter, an equalizer, a beamforming network, a convolver, a correlator, or an application specific integrated circuit by way of example. When interconnected in accordance with the teachings provided herein, these circuits may be used to provide a digital receiver.

Abstract: A beamforming system including a multiplier stage for providing a plurality of steered signal terms, each term being a product of an input signal term and a steering signal term. A filter multiplies the steered signal terms by a plurality of respective filter weights to provide a plurality of weighted products. The weighted products are summed to provide an output beam directionally responsive to the steering signal. A microprocessor provides the steering signal terms and the filter weights in response to the input signal and/or user input. In the preferred embodiment, the filter is a reconfigurable, general purpose matched filter configured to multiply a plurality of delayed representations of a respective one of the steered signal terms by a plurality of the weights to provide a plurality of intermediate weighted product terms. The filter further includes a summing circuit for accumulating the intermediate weighted product terms to provide a respective one of the plurality of weighted products.

Abstract: An apparatus for the protection of instrumentation placed within a drill string in a well, as during drilling comprising support structure, including a carrier sized for reception in the string, and; elastomeric structure carried by the support structure and including multiple elastomeric pads spaced about a longitudinal axis defined in the well, the pads extending generally longitudinally, and protruding in directions radially of the axis to absorb radial loading and torsional loading exerted in direction about the axis, and to deflect in said directions of radial and torsional loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for the protection of instrumentation placed within a drill string in a well, as during drilling comprising support structure, including a carrier sized for reception in the string, and; elastomeric structure carried by the support structure and including multiple elastomeric pads spaced about a longitudinal axis defined in the well, the pads extending generally longitudinally, and protruding in directions radially of the axis to absorb radial loading and torsional loading exerted in direction about the axis, and to deflect in said directions of radial and torsional loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting instrumentation in a drill collar in a well, such instrumentation being subject to travel in the well to and from the drill collar comprising instrumentation having upper and lower end portions and being elongated between the end portions; there being tongue and groove interfit elements to suspend the instrumentation at the drill collar; one of the elements carried by the drill collar, and the other of the elements carried by the upper portion of the instrumentation, whereby the elements interfit as the instrumentation is traveled downwardly in the drill collar with the instrumentation lower portion hanging freely below the level of the elements.

Abstract: An apparatus that joins ends of fiber optic cables includes a fiber proteon sleeve fitted over an area of optical coupling to cover bare optical fibers at the coupling. The sleeve extends from the bare fibers to cover a portion of a buffer section of each cable. The fiber protection sleeve has an inner heat shrinkable tube that overlaps the area of optical coupling, a flexure suppressant rigidity member disposed exteriorly adjacent the inner heat shrinkable tube, and an outer heat shrinkable tube that overlaps the rigidity member and the inner heat shrinkable tube. The inner and outer heat shrinkable tubes are shrink-fitted to strengthen and seal the area of optical coupling. Additionally, a strength member sleeve is fitted over cable strength member sections that are interlayed over the fiber protection sleeve. The strength member sleeve includes a solder impregnated tubular braid and a heat shrinkable tube covering the braid.

Abstract: A manually operated hand held pick up apparatus includes an elongated tubular shank having a handle at one end and a flattened fixed jaw member at the opposite end. A movable jaw member, having a width significantly wider than that of the fixed jaw member and concavely curved, is pivotally mounted to the shank near the opposite end and is movable between a jaw open and a jaw closed position. A control rod is coupled to the movable jaw at one end and to an actuating trigger near the handle. A bias spring coupled to the control rod holds the movable jaw in a normally open position. In one embodiment the tubular shank consists of a pair of telescopic tubes permitting adjustment of the length of the device.