Abstract: An RF receiver comprises a signal processor arranged to perform a method of decoding data contained within a signal that comprises a set of slots, at least one said slot comprising a preamble portion and a payload portion and being transmitted at a predetermined transmission frequency. The signal processor is arranged to perform a first process to derive timing data from the preamble portion and perform a second process to extract information from the payload portion, the second process being triggered from said timing data derived from the first process. The preamble portion comprises at least a first sequence of data and a second sequence of data, and the second sequence is the inverse of the first sequence. In preferred embodiments the first process comprises identifying a transition between said first and second sequences of data and deriving said timing data from the identified transition.

Abstract: A manufacturing quality control system for monitoring the proximity of a workpiece to a machine tool is disclosed. The system includes a proximity sensor attached to the machine tool for deriving a first distance measurement based upon the distance between the workpiece and the machine tool. A wireless transmitter generates a radio frequency signal including the first distance measurement. A remote data processing device communicates with the wireless transmitter to retrieve the first distance measurement and display various derivations of sensor data.

Abstract: Methods for thinning a bumped semiconductor wafer, as well as methods for producing flip-chips of very thin profiles, are disclosed. According to the methods of the present invention, a mold compound is interspersed between conductive bumps on the active face of a wafer to provide support and protection for the wafer structure both during and after a process of removing the wafer's inactive back side silicon surface. The mold compound also serves to preserve the integrity of the conductively bumped aspects of the wafer during subsequent processing and may, after the wafer is diced, act as all or part of an underfill material for flip-chip applications.

Abstract: Communications apparatus has a plurality of nodes each of which is capable of communicating with plural other nodes via point-to-point wireless transmission links between the nodes. At least one of the nodes has at least one antenna that is steerable in azimuth. The antenna is arranged to transmit an electromagnetic beam that has a beam width that is narrower in azimuth than in elevation. The beam width in azimuth is less than 9° and the beam width in elevation is less than about 15°.

Abstract: A system and method for networking a plurality of nodes is disclosed. A network of data devices having data representations of connectivity, network node position, and/or position topologies is also disclosed, wherein the network may be self-configuring and the network nodes spatially addressable. In another embodiment, a unique form of signal acquisition assistance intrinsic in the signal structure may also be used. A data positioning device capable of operating as a node in a network of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for networking a plurality of nodes is disclosed. A network of data devices having data representations of connectivity, network node position, and/or position topologies is also disclosed, wherein the network may be self-configuring and the network nodes spatially addressable. In another embodiment, a unique form of signal acquisition assistance intrinsic in the signal structure may also be used. A data positioning device capable of operating as a node in a network of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A GPS enabled timepiece. A timepiece in accordance with the present invention comprises a GPS receiver, wherein the GPS receiver is modified to operate in a timekeeping environment, a timepiece, coupled to the GPS receiver, wherein the GPS receiver provides time updates to the timepiece, and a display, coupled to the timepiece, wherein the GPS-updated time of the timepiece is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, apparatus and method for implementing a personalized concierge system with an optimized user interface. The present invention adds significant value relative to prior-art LBS systems by providing a group of features that simplifies use of the system, provides personalized search capability, and supports communication of information to other people.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting when an animal is in heat is provided. The apparatus includes a logic controller, a power source, a clock, an actuator, and a presentation interface such as an array of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) that records breeding behavior in animals and presents corresponding data in a manner that can readily be observed from a distance. The method includes, according to some embodiments, receiving a first stimulus, validating that the first stimulus was received incident to a first mating-behavior event, receiving a second stimulus incident to a second mating-behavior event; and storing the occurrence of the first stimulus along with a time indicator for future retrieval and display on a presentation interface, wherein the presentation interface includes an LED array.

Abstract: A communication system communicates control data in unused segments in the data stream of an asynchronous channel. The communication system includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits communications data to the receiving unit via the asynchronous channel, in compliance with the channel's asynchronous protocol. However, the transmitting unit transmits control data to the receiving unit in unused segments of the data stream.

Abstract: A network, network device and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting communication signals from a first network node to a second network node, where the first and second network nodes comprise a network and each include a receiver portion and a transponder portion. The method further comprises receiving, by the first and second network nodes, position signals from a plurality of navigation beacons, and generating transmitter codes for the transponder portions using local code generators of the receiver portions.

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal; and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). Each of said links (3) is to one other node (2) only. The links (3) are arranged such that at least some of the nodes (2) are not linked only to the nearest neighbor node(s) (2).