Abstract: The voltage controlled oscillator comprises an amplifier and an oscillating system comprising an inductor and a first and second variable capacitor connected in series, each having a capacitance varying according to its control voltage. The capacitance of one of the variable capacitors varies in the same direction as its control voltage and the capacitance of the other variable capacitor varies in the opposite direction to its control voltage. A capacitor having a fixed capacitance can be connected in series or in parallel with the first and second variable capacitors. The first and second variable capacitors are preferably formed by transistors, respectively of PMOS and NMOS type. An additional series of additional first and second variable capacitors can be connected in parallel with the first and second variable capacitors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for calibration of a low frequency oscillator in a processor based system. A method for calibrating an on-chip non-precision oscillator. An on-chip precision oscillator is provided having a known frequency of operation that is within an acceptable operating tolerance. The on-chip precision oscillator is used as a time base and then the period of the on-chip oscillator is measured as a function of the time base. The difference between the measured frequency of the on-chip non-precision oscillator and a desired operating frequency of the on-chip non-precision oscillator is then determined. After the difference is determined, the frequency of the on-chip non-precision oscillator is adjusted to minimize the determined difference.

Abstract: Placing inductors or resistors in parallel causes the combined value of inductance or resistance to decrease according to the parallel combination rule. This invention decreases the parasitic resistance of an inductor by placing several inductors in parallel. Furthermore, by careful placement of these inductors, the mutual inductance between these inductors can be used to increase the equivalent inductance value to a value near that of the original inductance value of a single inductor. Thus, it is possible to create an inductance with a much lower value of parasitic resistance. This invention allows the formation of high Q inductors and would be beneficial in any circuit design requiring inductances. Another aspect of this invention is that the coils can be partitioned to minimize eddy current losses. This invention can easily be implemented in a planar technology. Simulations of several tank circuits indicate that the power dissipation can be reduced 3 to 4 times when compared to conventional techniques.

Abstract: A circuit assembly includes multiple substrate with a regions of embedded signal processing circuitry can be connected to a region of adjustable signal processing circuitry and a cavity formed through an area of the substrate layers to expose signal connection terminals. These signal connection terminals are connected to the embedded signal processing circuitry and/or to the customizable circuitry and enables the addition of a circuit element to the assembly after the bonding of the substrate layers and enables the connection of that added element to the signal processing circuitry and to the adjustable processing circuitry.

Abstract: A distributed backwards-wave balun comprising first and second pairs of coupled transmission line sections having one line section of the first coupled pair connected in series with one line section of the second coupled pair. A differential port is connected across the outer ends of the series-connected line sections and a single-ended port is connected to the inner end of the other line section of one of the coupled pairs. The balun includes an inductive load, connected in parallel with the differential port, in which the electrical length of the coupled line sections is less than one quarter of the wavelength of the centre frequency of the operating band of the balun.

Abstract: To provide a high frequency switch capable of dealing with multiple frequency bands without having plurality of switch circuits. A first diode that conducts due to a bias current when a first switch is closed is interposed between a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal. A strip line with the electrical length L1 is connected to the cathode of the first diode, the other end being grounded. At a position with the distance L2 from one end of the strip line, a capacitor and a second switch are connected to be equivalently grounded when a second switch is closed. The strip line resonates with the electrical length L1 when the second switch is opened, and resonates with the electrical length L2 when the second switch is closed.

Abstract: A dual band full duplex mobile radio is provided that includes a transmit portion including a dual band filter and a receive portion including a dual band filter. The dual band full duplex mobile radio further includes a circulator connecting the transmit portion and the receive portion and configured to provide transmit and receive switching.

Abstract: A filter using an air gap type film bulk acoustic resonator is provided. The present filter includes a substrate on which a first port, a second port, and a ground port are formed to be connected to an external terminal; at least one first film bulk acoustic resonator serially connecting the first port to the second port on the substrate; at least one second film bulk acoustic resonator parallel connected to an interconnection node formed between the first port and the second port; and at least one inductor serially connecting the second film bulk acoustic resonator to the ground port. The inductor included in the filter is fabricated with the first and second film bulk acoustic resonators as one body. Accordingly, a small-sized filter may be fabricated through a simplified process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for realizing surface acoustic wave filter arrangements of the kind comprising a piezo-electric substrate and on said substrate metallic strip elements constituting impedance filter elements arranged in a network scheme. In such an arrangement by electrostatic interaction between the network elements is produced a parasitic resonance at a frequency different from the operational resonance frequency. The method is characterized in that means are provided in the filter arrangement which produce a shifting of the parasitic resonance frequency to a frequency substantially equal to said operational resonance frequency. The invention can be used for filter arrangements.

Abstract: A dielectric-based filter includes a thermally insulated housing, at least one filter formed from a dielectric material disposed inside the insulated housing, and a temperature maintenance device having a heating component and a cooling component for maintaining the temperature of the filter inside of the insulated housing within a temperature range. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the temperature maintenance device includes a thermoelectric cooler. The device permits the use of temperature-dependent low loss, high dielectric constant materials in filtering/resonator applications. During operation of the device, the dielectric-based filter is maintained at substantially room temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a bandpass filter for a differential signal applicable to a device having a wide passband, being a device for transmitting a signal using a differential signal. Respective lines 1 and 2 and lines 3 and 4 are provide on two surfaces P1 and P2 at an inner layer of a dielectric body 9. Each two lines are arranged symmetrically about the same plane of symmetry C, and the length of each line is a quarter wavelength at the center frequency of a used band. Reference numerals 5 and 6 are input/output ends of the lines 1 and 2, and 7 and 8 are input output ends of lines 3 and 4. Opposite ends to the input output ends are open. If a differential signal is input to terminals 5, 6, a differential output appears at the terminals 7, 8. This device works as a bandpass filter.

Abstract: A filter includes a waveguide with at least one impedance structure with a resonant frequency. The impedance structure is positioned in the waveguide to reflect signals at the resonant frequency. The filter can be tunable by including variable capacitance devices in the impedance structure(s) so that the resonant frequency can be adjusted.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for use in a circuit breaker. The terminal assembly includes a first member and a second member abutting the first member. The second member includes a pair of protruding arms to be inserted into a corresponding pair of recesses in a circuit breaker housing. Because the pair of protruding arms are inserted into the housing, the first member is protected against rotational force.

Abstract: The electro-mechanical micro-switch device includes first and second fixed electrodes. A movable electrode is positioned with respect to the first and second fixed electrodes so that the position of the movable electrode can be selectively placed in one of two opposing states defined by the fixed electrodes. The stored elastic potential energy of the movable electrode and its flexible supporting structure is used for switching between the two states. An electrostatic hold voltage is used to hold the movable electrode in the two switch states.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging a plurality of micro-magnetic switches is described. A bonded substrate structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a magnetic layer. The first substrate has a plurality of cantilevers formed thereon. The second substrate has a first surface that is bonded to the first substrate. Each cantilever of the plurality of cantilevers on the first substrate is housed in a corresponding space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The magnetic layer is formed on a second surface of the first and/or second substrate to induce a magnetization in a magnetic material of each housed cantilever. The bonded substrate structure is singulated to form a plurality of separate micro-magnetic switch packages. Each micro-magnetic switch package of the plurality of micro-magnetic switch packages includes at least one housed cantilever.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive actuator. The actuator includes a flexible substrate and a magnetostrictive film on the substrate. The shape of the flexible substrate is altered in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: A layered product prepared by applying a surface treatment to an adherend having a surface with a low binding property with an anaerobic adhesive, which does not require a complex work, primer application, effected by accelerating an adhesive curing rate, and does not change surface conditions of the adherend. The layered product comprises an adherend, an uneven deposition comprising Cu, V, a Cu alloy or a V alloy and having a height of 500 nm or less on the surface of the adherend, and an adhesive layer formed at least on the uneven deposition.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) inductor is formed in a saucer shape that completely surrounds a magnetic core structure which is formed from a ferromagnetic material. In addition, an array of MEMS inductors can be formed by dividing up the saucer-shaped MEMS inductor into a number of electrically-isolated MEMS inductor wedges.

Abstract: A very, very low resistance micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) inductor, which provides resistance in the single-digit milliohm range, is formed by utilizing a single thick wide loop of metal formed around a magnetic core structure. The magnetic core structure, in turn, can utilize a laminated Ni—Fe structure that has an easy axis and a hard axis.

Abstract: A fuse component (1) has a fusible conductor (2) which extends in a gas filled cavity (3) within a cylindrical tube (4) between two end surfaces (8). Two end caps (5) of an electrically conductive material are applied to the ends of the tube (4) so that an electrical contact is produced with the fusible conductor (2). At at least one of the two ends of the tube (4), a sealing body of a plastic material, which is predominantly elastically compressible but at the same time capable of creep, is introduced into a gap between the base of the end cap and the end surface (8) of the tube (4) and into a portion of the cavity adjacent to the cap base. The sealing body has been compressed between the end surface (8) and the cap base during the manufacture of the fuse component (1) when positioning the end cap (5). The compressed sealing body (7) attempts to expand again, whereby it expands principally into the cavity (3).

Abstract: A stick lever unit for a radio-controlled device that is capable of easily changing the type of stick lever holding mechanism by a user is provided. The stick lever unit includes a fixing member to which a variable resistor is attached, a rotational member equipped with a stick lever, the rotational member being journaled to the fixing member and having an arc-shaped groove on a periphery thereof, and a pressure member bridged to the fixing member for pressing the arc-shaped groove. The pressure member has resilient plates of two types which can be suitably selected by means of an adjustment member.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a hand-held radio frequency identification reader includes a first casing suitable for being grasped by a user, a second casing, and a transceiver housed within one of the first and second casings. The reader also includes an antenna housed within the second casing and communicatively coupled to the transceiver for communicatively coupling the reader to a radio frequency identification tag. The second casing is movably coupled to the first casing so that the second casing can be aligned with the radio frequency identification tag to substantially maximize a read distance of the reader while the first casing is held in a substantially fixed position in relation to the radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a dynamic alert indication to a user of a signal receiving device. One technique includes the steps of processing a signal transmitted from a signal transmitting device to determine at least one mode to be associated with an alert indication, wherein the processing step includes the step of accessing a look-up table containing information associated with a user of the signal receiving device to determine the at least one mode to be associated with the alert indication; and alerting the user of the signal receiving device via the alert indication that the signal has been received by the signal receiving device.

Abstract: The concept herein is focused on a portable structure, generally in the form of a portable mat or other similar member, that can be moved or transported from place to place to be used in a temporary manner and placed on the ground for use in the process of facilitating the implementation of field exercise tests of individuals who are suspected of criminal or other activity such as driving under the influence of alcohol, such mat comprising in general a flat flexible mat-like member that can be placed flush against the ground for temporary use, such mat having an upper surface with demarcations thereon for guiding a person walking over the upper surface of the mat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication device for use with a power line communication system. One embodiment of the present invention forms a bypass device and comprises a LV coupler, a LV signal conditioner, a controller, a MV modem, a first MV signal conditioner, an isolator, a second MV signal conditioner, and a MV coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Abstract: A device for detection of undesired objects on surfaces, for example airport runways co-ordinates sensed data from a plurality of sensor units. With radar sensors, synthetic aperture radar processing is found to be advantageous. A vehicle which is configured with a plurality of sensors may be either remotely controlled or autonomous. It may also be provided with communication equipment and debris retrieval apparatus and that includes both mobile sensing devices and fixed installations. A suitable mobile sensing device and a method for operating the debris detection system are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicular safety apparatus of the present invention is one actuated according to a collision prediction level of a vehicle. The vehicular safety apparatus of the present invention is provided with a determining device for determining a collision prediction level on the basis of a relative position between a vehicle and an obstacle ahead of the vehicle; a storage for storing a amount of brake operation by a driver at a point where the collision prediction level exceeds a predetermined threshold, as a reference level; and an actuation controller for actuating the safety apparatus in accordance with an increase from the reference level. This prevents the actuation of the safety apparatus from being excessive in the case where an increase of the amount of brake operation is low. Furthermore, in the case of the increase being high, the actuation is controlled so as to fully bring out the performance of the safety apparatus.

Abstract: Each sensor is provided with an emitter and the vehicle is provided with a corresponding receiver adapted to receive signals emitted by each sensor. The receiver is provided with at least one antenna disposed such that it is not located substantially equidistantly from the sensors, the antennas being located on a same side of the vehicle. The location of the sensors is carried out by analyzing the power of the field received by the receiver of each antenna for each sensor, the field power received by one antenna being the greater, the nearer to the antenna is the sensor that emitted the corresponding signal.

Abstract: A device for interrogating at least one data sensor positioned at least one of within a vehicle tire and adjacent to a vehicle tire. The device includes a housing, remotely located from the at least one data sensor having a processor positioned therein. Means for sending and receiving at least one data signal for receipt by said sensor is connected to the processor. A least one input button is connected to the processor for activation thereof. A display is connected to the processor for displaying data thereon. The sensor generates, in response to the at least one data signal, a response signal having data corresponding to at least one of a sensed and a stored data value and the response signal is received by the sending and receiving means for display on the display.

Abstract: A surveillance system is provided. The system includes at least one target detection sensor, a plurality of adjustable identification sensors and a system controller. The syste controller is coupled to the at least one target detection sensor and the plurality of adjustable identification sensors. The system controller processes data from the plurality of target detection sensors, applies threat criteria, and, when a target is identified as a threat, the system controller selects at least one of the plurality of adjustable identification sensors and adjusts a sensing input of the selected one of the plurality of adjustable identification sensors to capture information on the identified target. The system also includes a monitoring station that is adapted to receive signals from the selected one of the adjustable identification sensors and to display the captured information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module may be stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for processing, at a sensor node within a sensor network, a set of sensor readings to determine whether an event has occurred, the set of sensor readings including one or more sensor readings for corresponding environmental conditions. The processing includes determining whether a sensor reading exceeds its corresponding threshold value for an environmental condition, and if so, comparing the set of sensor readings with a history log file to determine whether a false alarm event has occurred. The history log file includes one or more sets of historic sensor readings for corresponding environmental conditions, each set being associated with an environmental situation.

Abstract: An alarm display and interface tool for use in a process control system receives and displays different categories of alarms, including for example, device alarms and hardware alarms as well as traditional process alarms, on a single display to enable an operator or other user to view and have access to these different categories of alarms. The display and interface tool may be used to filter the alarms that are displayed according to any number of categories, including the category of the alarm, the priority of the alarm, the status of the alarm, etc. so as to alternatively segregate or combine the tasks typically associated with operator, maintenance and engineer personnel. The tool may also be used to access each of the displayed alarms to obtain more information about any individual alarm.

Abstract: A multiplexing system is provided for a plurality of sensors disposed in a tank containing a potentially explosive environment and excited from a common excitation circuit outside of the tank through a corresponding plurality of signal lines that penetrate the tank. The multiplexing system comprises: a multiplexer switch for each sensor, each multiplexer switch disposed outside of the tank in series with the corresponding signal line between the common excitation circuit and the corresponding sensor in the tank.

Abstract: A product supply chain may be viewed not just as a series of discrete, unrelated shipment transactions, but as a “process” (or pipeline) that can be subject to statistical process control. The present invention is directed to novel systems and methods for collecting data concerning one or more aspects of a supply chain, for performing statistical analysis on the collected data to facilitate the identification of anomalies or inefficiencies in the process, and for communicating the results of such statistical analysis to those responsible for the supply chain so that remedial measures may be taken, if appropriate. Among other things, a method for analyzing a supply chain process is disclosed that involves automatically determining whether a plurality of data points, each representing at least one determined value of at least one monitored aspect of a supply chain, match a pattern indicative of an anomalous condition in the supply chain process.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically uploading the configuration of a security system to a central station automation system via telephonic lines, long-range radio (e.g., cellular), or Internet. The end result is that the automation system has sufficient information regarding the type and configuration of the system installed at the protected premises to properly handle alarms reports from that system.

Abstract: A controller (301), for example on a field interface of a resource management system (300), determines a location of a mobile object (303a, 303b, 303c) and controls an environment thereof. The controller (301) receives, via a first transceiver (307), a communication including information representative of the mobile object; receives a command via a second transceiver (317) and controls the environment outside of the mobile object responsive to the command and/or the communication. A controller, for example on the mobile object (303a, 303b, 303c), detects a location of the mobile object (303a, 303b, 303c) via device (305a, 305b, 305c). The controller collects information about the mobile object including location; transmits, to a controller via its transceiver, a communication including the information; receives a command via its transceiver; and controls operation of the mobile object responsive to the command.

Abstract: To provide a security lighting apparatus of a kind capable of easily optimizing the timing at which an alert is carried out, when a human body is detected by a human body detector 1 during the time zone determined by a time zone setting device (19), an alert is issued to an intruder entering within any one of detection zones (A1 to A4) and, accordingly, the timing at which the alert is initiated during the time zone can be easily and properly set.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products, implementing techniques for automatic data acquisition and the real-time display of automatically acquired data. A system implementing the techniques includes one or more automatic data acquisition devices that emit data; and a data integration system that receives data from the automatic data acquisition devices and processes the data. The data integration system includes a display system for displaying the data to a user. The display system is operable to generate a graphical display and to update the graphical display automatically and only when new data from the automatic data acquisition devices is available. The display system is operable to update only affected parts of the graphical display but not necessarily the entire display.

Abstract: A measuring system enabled to simultaneously start measurement by a plurality of transponders by communication between a reader/writer and a plurality of transponders each with a built-in sensor is to be provided. In addition to an identifier SID intrinsic to a sensor and a chip identifier TID intrinsic to a transponder chip, a unique identifier UID combining the sensor SID and the chip TID is provided in each transponder. A reader/writer, in designating a transponder and transmitting a measurement command to it, invalidates the chip TID out of the UID of each transponder, validates only information regarding a sensor function, and transmits measurement commands including action commands unique to each type of sensor.

Abstract: A tag unit comprises two RFID tags arranged nearly parallel with each other, each RFID tag including an antenna, tag transmission/reception section, and storage section. The tag unit stores different serial numbers in the respective storage sections. A tag unit reading/writing apparatus writes the different serial numbers and common data in the storage sections of the respective RFID tags, and retains the same serial numbers of the respective RFID tags in its storage section 18. The tag unit reading/writing apparatus judges validity of reading and reusability of the tag unit, when it successfully reads both of the serial numbers and the data stored in the storage sections of the respective RFID tags.

Abstract: An object tracking system is provided for tracking the removal of objects from a location and the replacement of the objects at the location. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to each of the objects to be tracked and each tag has an antenna. When activated, the RFID tag of an object transmits a unique code identifying the object. A storage unit is provided at the location and the storage unit has a plurality of receptacles configured to receive objects replaced at the location. Each receptacle has an associated antenna for activating the RFID tag of an object in the receptacle and receiving the radio frequency transmitted code of the object. The antennae of the system can be capacitive plates for conveying the radio frequency transmissions through capacitive coupling or inductive loops for conveying the transmissions through inductive coupling.

Abstract: A deactivator having a deactivation antenna coil and a capacitor to store energy. The deactivator converts the stored energy to an alternating current over a deactivation period to generate a deactivation magnetic field when driven through the deactivation antenna coil during the deactivation period. The alternating current defines a ring down envelope during the deactivation period. An energy recovery module having an electrical impedance is coupled to the deactivator to recover a portion of the energy converted to the alternating current during a portion of the deactivation period based on the impedance. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In a wireless IC tag, metallic antennas are deposited as thin films on the front and back surfaces of a spacer, made of a heat-resistant glass epoxy material having a desired dielectric constant, to form a first antenna and a second antenna. An IC chip is mounted in the center of the first antenna. The second antenna functions as an auxiliary antenna for resonating to a desired frequency of a transmission radio wave of the first antenna to strengthen the intensity of the radio wave. Accordingly, even when the IC tag is mounted to a cable or the like, the tag can be mounted in the interior of the enclosure of the cable and thus the radio wave intensity of the first antenna can be prevented from being weakened by a metallic member in the cable.

Abstract: An improvement in the manufacture of radio frequency identification tags employs an antenna stamped from a thin metallic sheet and affixed to a substrate at a first location to establish an intermediate product in which the stamped antenna is affixed to the substrate, and the intermediate product is placed at at least one subsequent location for further processing toward completion of a radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: A device for alerting a user to the presence of a child in a vehicle comprising a housing having a first sensor for sensing the presence of at least one of a child and infant positioned therein. A means for detecting the operative mode of a vehicle engine is connected to the first sensor. A means for indicating the presence to a third party is connected to the first sensor. The indicating means is activated and indicates to the third party the presence of said at least one child and infant upon the detecting means detecting that the vehicle engine is in a first off mode and the first sensor sensing the presence of the at least one child and infant.

Abstract: A back drafting alarm assembly is designed to detect back drafting in combustion fired appliances. The assembly includes a temperature sensor unit that is attached to the diverter bonnet of a water heater or furnace to measure the temperature at all times. The sensor is connected to an alarm assembly that sounds an alarm when the temperature of the bonnet reaches or exceeds 130 degrees F. for a predetermined time period. The preferred time period is three (3) minutes. The alarm assembly also includes a reset button to shut off the alarm and a test button to make certain that the device functions when installed. A microprocessor provides the additional capability to record the total number of excursion events over a longer monitoring period. The alarm operates on direct current from a battery, or standard 110 volts AC with a suitable AC/DC transformer. A battery backup feature provides uninterrupted power when using 110 volts AC as a power source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting presence in gas of transient particulate above its normal zero or acceptable level within a duct (4), said apparatus comprising at least one emitter (2) of illumination selected from infra-red, ultraviolet and visible radiation capable of being projected over essentially the entire cross section of the duct (4) and at least one detector (8, 18, 25) for detecting any sparkle of the illumination from the particulate. The apparatus and method are in particular useful for detecting monitoring particulate in areas where build up or presence of particulate can be disadvantageous, for example hospitals and electricity generating stations.

Abstract: A test device for at least one LED strip contains: a voltage source, by way of which a cold test voltage or a warm test voltage can be applied to a parallel circuit formed of a test resistor and the LED strip, and an evaluation unit which records the cold test current flowing when a cold test voltage is present and diagnoses an error if the cold test current deviates from a required value by an above-the-threshold amount. A test device contains a switching element connected in series with the test resistor and an error circuit connected to the at least one LED strip, which during the warm testing records an over-the-threshold deviation of a current flowing through the at least one LED strip from a pre-specified value and for an over-the-threshold deviation opens the switching element.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry system comprises a surface located fluid supply line having a drilling fluid flowing therein. A non-venting pulser is disposed in the drilling fluid in the supply line, and the non-venting pulser is adapted to generate pressure fluctuations in the flowing drilling fluid. A downhole receiver in hydraulic communication with the non-venting pulser is adapted to detect the pressure fluctuations in the drilling fluid. A method for transmitting pressure signals from a surface location to a downhole location in a wellbore, comprises disposing a non-venting pulser in a surface located fluid supply line having a drilling fluid flowing therein. The non-venting pulser is actuated to generate pressure fluctuations in the flowing drilling fluid according to a predetermined encoding scheme. The pressure fluctuations are detected with a downhole receiver in hydraulic communication with the non-venting pulser.