At&t Bell Laboratories

Other

Lucent Technologies Inc.

Steven David Robinson

Mindaugas Fernand Dautartas

Louis Thomas Manzione

Dennis Stefanik

Muvaffak S Acarlar

James Ben Hanlon

William H Burton

A mattress system for a patient includes an inflatable mattress having at least one inflatable bladder, each having at least one inflation port and a plurality of selectively sealable deflation pinholes. When fully deflated the inflatable mattress may be rolled up into a compact storage configuration. An air pump is in fluid communication with the inflation port of each inflatable bladder and is adapted to pressurize the bladder with air treated with an ozone generator, sanitizer, or the like. Such an air pump is preferably controlled by a controller circuit that may be included to inflate any of the inflatable bladders and activate or deactivate the air treatment apparatus, based on, for example, a pre-programmed schedule or regiment as directed by a medical professional. Auxiliary attachments, such as an appendage sleeve, a blanket, or the like, may also be inflated with the air pump.

Therapeutic mattress

A programmable timer circuit having ON and OFF volume control states; for controlling the volume of audible signals generated by a signal generator of a communication device at preprogrammed times is disclosed. The programmable timer circuit monitors a communication link for the presence of signals indicative of an incoming communication. When such signals are detected and the volume control state of the timer circuit is ON, the volume of the audible signals generated by the signal generator of the communication device is adjusted so that such audible signals are broadcast with a programmed loudness. Volume control of the audible signals generated by the signal generator does not prevent outgoing communications using the communication device. The fact that the volume of the audible signals generated by the signal generator is controlled, is not apparent to the calling party. Incoming calls for which the volume of the audible signals generated by the signal generator have been controlled can be automatically forwarded to a locally connected answering machine. An override feature is provided that allows an audible signal indicative of an incoming call to be generated, even when the timer circuit is ON, if an authorized signal is detected.

Programmable timer circuit for the signal generator of a communication

An optical communication arrangement is disclosed which utilizes a combination of leadframe and package molding technology to reduce the complexity of the arrangement. In general, a leadframe is utilized for the placement and connection of the required electronic circuitry. A first molding operation is then performed to encapsulate the electronics. If necessary, a metallic plate may then be attached to the housed electronics to provide EMI shielding. An optical device is then coupled to the leadframe, where a separate subassembly may be used to house the optical device. The encapsulated electronics and optics are then simultaneously covered during a second molding operation to form the final package. In one embodiment, an optical subassembly incorporating a connector receptacle may be utilized, where the second molding operation is performed such that the connector receptacle remains exposed. Alternatively, the molded outer package may be configured to include the connector receptacle.

Molded optical packaging arrangement

Advanced packaging techniques are utilized to provide updated packaging for optical transmitters and receivers. In particular, the hybrid integrated circuit (HIC) used to form either the transmitter or receiver circuitry in the prior art has been replaced by a plastic dual-in-line package (DIP). The DIP includes specialized leads (prongs) formed through the short end of the DIP to provide direct connection to the optical device. These end-prong leads thus significantly decrease the parasitic capacitance associated with conventional DIP connections. A capacitor may be molded into the DIP across the power supply leads to provide filtering for the package. Thermal dissipation is provided by two separate means in this package. First, the leadframe of the DIP is formed to include relatively long leads which extend through the bottom of the package to carry away the heat generated by the integrated circuit and the DIP itself may be disposed on a thermally conductive substrate which will also dissipate heat generate by the integrated circuit. Second, the metal cover of the package is attached to the optical device by a thermally conductive epoxy to provide a heat path for the optical device. Molded plastic piece parts are utilized to form the optical sleeve and an optical frame assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Lower Macungie Township, PA, United States of America

Steven David Robinson