Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making high loft, nonwoven material by providing either natural and/or synthetic fibers, providing a low melt binder fiber, mixing the low melt binder fiber and the natural and/or synthetic fibers to form a web, cross-lapping the web, drafting the web with a drafter, heating the drafted web to a temperature sufficient to melt the low melt binder fibers, and cooling the web thereby forming a structural nonwoven material. The nonwoven batt can be cross-lapped between 2 and 10 layers and when the batt is cooled and has structural rigidity, the tensile strength in the machine direction is at least 50% of the tensile strength in the cross-direction. The batt weight is in a range of 0.25 oz/ft2 to 2.0 oz/ft2. The low melt binder fibers comprise 10 to 30 wt. % of the nonwoven batt and the synthetic and/or natural fibers comprise about 70 to 90 wt. %.

Abstract: Chromatic dispersion in a high speed CS-RZ WDM transmission system is reduced by providing tailored “precompensation” for individual and/or groups of optical signals. Such precompensation is achieved by passing the optical signals through a dispersion compensating elements, such as dispersion compensating fiber, within an optical multiplexer, i.e., prior to multiplexing the signals onto a single optical fiber. Additional dispersion compensation can be performed in optical amplifiers and within an optical demultiplexer downstream from the optical multiplexer.

Abstract: Optical amplifying method and apparatus are proposed. Constant gain amplifiers operate such that the output power of the amplifier generally tracks the input power. However, optical systems are not perfect and the input to the optical amplifier stage includes not only the desired signal, but also includes accumulated effects of the imperfections. The imperfections include losses of the fiber sections, variations in laser powers, and drifts. Thus, simple amplification not only amplifies the desired signal, but also amplifies accumulated imperfections. Such imperfections occur over time and are generally small in magnitude. By operating the amplifier such that amplification of small variations is suppressed while allowing for tracking of large input variations, amplifying the accumulated imperfections is minimized.

Abstract: A saddle pad display system by which a horse and rider may display an exhibitor number tag, equine jewelry, or the like on a saddle pad. The saddle pad display system is comprised of: a saddle pad, the saddle pad having a left side and a right side and further having an outer pad surface and an inner pad surface; a plurality of display holes cut and sewn into the saddle pad, the depth of the display holes continuing throughout the entire thickness of the saddle pad; a retaining sleeve attached to the inner pad surface and located centrally between a pair of display holes located on each side of the saddle pad; and a display item, the display item having a clip by which the display item may be securely attached to the saddle pad.

Abstract: A digital information mapper and method for mapping sequences of information characters into a SONET (synchronous optical network) payload in such a manner that there can be an arbitrary mixture of control and/or data values in those sequences. Each information character comprises 9 bits consisting of an 8 bit information byte, being either a control byte or a data byte, and one octet type bit identifying the byte as control or data. A processor applies a mapping algorithm of a mapping module to the input information characters. The mapping algorithm is applied to sequences of eight input information characters, the algorithm being operable to map the information bytes of each sequence of eight information characters to eight of a sequence of nine contiguous SPE octets. The algorithm then maps the octet type bits for the eight mapped information bytes of the character sequence to the ninth octet of the contiguous SPE octets of the SPE octet sequence.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for restoring a connection in a network. The connection is typically a sub network connection (SNC). In an embodiment, a failed line in a link connecting a first node and a second node is detected, where the failed line is associated with a sub network connection (SNC). The sub network connection (SNC) is then mapped to an alternate line in the link. The first node will change cross connections in a switch fabric in the first node, while the second node will change cross connections in a switch fabric in the second node, so that both nodes can transmit data on the selected alternate line, in order to restore the SNC.

Abstract: A network security system includes a system data store capable of storing a variety of data associated with an encrypted computer network and communications transmitted thereon, a communication interface supporting communication over a communication channel and a system processor. Data corresponding to communications transmitted over the encrypted communication network are received. One or more tests are applied to the received data to determine whether a particular communication represents a potential security violation. An alarm may be generated based upon the results of the applied test or tests.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless natural language query system, architecture, and method for processing multimodally-originated queries, including voice and proximity-based queries. The natural language query system includes a Web-enabled device including a speech input module for receiving a voice-based query in natural language form from a user and a location/proximity module for receiving location/proximity information from a location/proximity device. The natural language query system also includes a speech conversion module for converting the voice-based query in natural language form to text in natural language form and a natural language processing module for converting the text in natural language form to text in searchable form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remodulating channel selector for a wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system. The remodulating selector receives a WDM input signal, selects a particular optical channel from the WDM signal and places the information from the selected signal onto a newly-generated optical output signal. The wavelength of the output optical signal can be the same as or different from one of the optical channels which comprises the WDM input signal. When used in a WDM optical communication system with remodulators at the transmission input, the remodulating selectors provide complete control over the interfaces with optical transmitters and receivers, permitting use with a broad range of optical equipment.

Abstract: Method and system for reducing power dissipation for data transmission from a transmitter to a receiver in a digital subscriber line (DSL) system when a rate of available data is below a first predetermined data rate for a predetermined length of time. The method includes the following steps. Normal parameters for a normal rate of said data transmission are stored. New parameters for a reduced rate of the data transmission are calculated. Data is transmitted at the reduced rate of the data transmission, wherein the reduced rate requires less power for data transmission. The normal rate of the data transmission is resumed using the normal parameters when the rate of available data rises above a second predetermined data rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical amplifier pre-emphasis and equalization method that alleviates the optical amplifier gain ripple penalty experienced in conventional optical communications systems. This method includes storing measured communications channel signal gain ripple information, acquired during factory calibration, in the internal memory of each optical amplifier module. When the optical amplifiers are assembled into a chain, system software retrieves this communications channel signal gain ripple information from each optical amplifier module and computes the pre-emphasis or equalization required for each channel in order to obtain a flat SNR at a receiver. The method also includes measuring the ambient temperature of each optical amplifier module and applying a correction based on the expected change in gain response of each optical amplifier. The method further includes, for Raman amplifiers and the like, applying a fiber type, gain setting, GFF error, etc.

Abstract: Mobility assist devices for moving an individual with limited mobility, or allowing such an individual to move himself or herself, include: a substantially-rigid frame or body assembly having sufficient strength to support the weight of the individual; a plurality of lockable/brakeable rolling members attached to the substantially-rigid frame or body assembly; and a seat member attached to the substantially-rigid frame or body assembly, wherein the seat member includes a seat bottom member and a deployable seat back member that is selectively adjustable from at least a first upright position to a second reclined position, wherein in the second reclined position the seat bottom member and the deployable seat back member are substantially collinear, thereby functioning as a ramp that facilitates loading/unloading of the individual into/out of the seat member and the mobility assist device.

Abstract: The adhesive tape cutter comprises a body bracket with a support that rotatably supports an adhesive-tape roll and a cutting section to cut adhesive tape pulled out from the adhesive-tape roll supported. A path to pull out the adhesive tape from the support to the cutting section is a double-portion forming section that comprises adhesive face-side members disposed on a side faced by an adhesive face of the adhesive tape and non-adhesive face-side members disposed on a side faced by a non-adhesive face thereof that folds a longitudinal side edge of a predetermined width of the adhesive tape in a direction that the adhesive face is facing to stick when the adhesive tape is inserted between both the member groups and pulled out pressing against the members. A tape cover is provided outside the support and pivotably coupled to the body bracket.

Abstract: This application is directed to systems and methods for adaptively scanning for wireless communications. Scan data associated with scanning one or more wireless network channels based upon a scan pattern is received. Each wireless channel has a designation of primary or secondary with at least one channel having the secondary designation. A determination is made as to whether anomalous activity is present on a selected wireless channel designated as secondary. If anomalous activity is determined to be present, at least one scanning parameter of the selected channel is altered.

Abstract: Optical bypass node upgrade configurations are disclosed: (1) a configuration where optical taps are pre-positioned in wavelength division multiplex (WDM) line systems terminating at optical-electrical-optical (OEO) core switching nodes to allow for future upgrade of the nodes to degree-two or higher optical bypass; (2) a configuration where the taps are pre-positioned in a degree-two optical bypass node to allow for future upgrade to a degree-N optical bypass node; and (3) a configuration and procedure for upgrading OEO core switching nodes to optical bypass when the taps have not been pre-positioned in the WDM line systems. These configurations do not introduce bit errors for non-upgraded optical paths.

Abstract: This application is directed to systems and methods for adaptive monitoring of a wireless network with bandwidth constraints. A data unit from a wireless node is received. When a bandwidth constraint is satisfied, the received data unit is buffered. When the bandwidth constraint is not satisfied, the received or buffered data unit is transmitted to a monitoring processor. In some instances, downsampling, data discard and data aggregation can occur during the buffering process.

Abstract: A method and system for providing signaling byte resiliency across a telecommunications network. Embodiments of the invention create copies of original signaling bytes and transports the copies in addition to the original signaling bytes. Testing is performed at each node in the network to determine the validity of the original signaling bytes, i.e. if the signaling bytes have been corrupted. If original signaling bytes are found invalid, then the copies of the signaling bytes are used as a valid replacement for the corrupted signaling bytes.

Abstract: Multiple frames of SDH framed data are received. Each frame has an overhead portion and a payload portion. The payload portions of multiple frames are identified and extracted. These payloads are switched and re-mapped to a different STM structure as required.

Abstract: A cargo organizer system for a bench seat of a vehicle that includes mounting straps, an adjustable tube frame, and a collapsible shelf assembly. The shelf assembly is configurable in a vertical stored position and a horizontal use position. Dividers are positionable by the user to divide the shelf into user sized compartments. Netting can be provided for securing items in the compartments during sudden stops. Alternatively, the shelf assembly can be made from a cloth interior forming a pouch within a tubular support periphery.