Abstract: A system and method detects whether or not a microphone apparatus is positioned incorrectly relative to an acoustic source and of automatically compensating for such mispositioning. A position estimation circuit determines whether the microphone apparatus is mispositioned. A controller facilitates the automatic compensation of the mispositioning.

Abstract: Conformable spring-loaded earloops for over-the-ear style headsets are disclosed. The earloop for a headset generally comprises a prehensile member having a connecting member and a stabilizer portion and a ring integrally formed with and extending from the connecting member. The stabilizer portion is adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear to clip onto the ear in substantially a first plane. The ring is configured to removably receive and rotatably secure a receiver capsule of a headset therein and to direct the receiver capsule toward a concha of the ear. The prehensile member and the ring define an open-ended curved space to facilitate donning of the earloop. Upon application of an external force, the stabilizer portion is resiliently adjustable relative to the ring out of the first plane toward and away from the ear and/or in the first plane toward and away from the ring. The stabilizer portion returns to a static resting state configuration upon removal of external forces.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) channel context information to simultaneously process multiple HDLC channels. Preferred embodiments of the present invention enable a single network processing engine to process multiple HDLC channels. The current state of the HDLC channel can be evaluated, stored, and restored, which means that the processing of a channel can be halted, the channel state read and stored, and the state of a different channel written to the processing engine. This allows the engine to begin processing a new channel, and then, at a later stage, restore the state of the original channel and resume processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic repair and replacement of computing machines are disclosed. The system may generally include a database including configuration information for the available replacement machines and a failed machine, a machine assignment module to assign a replacement machine based on a comparison of the configuration information for the failed machine and the available replacement machines, and a configuration module for generating configuration data for replacement of the failed machine with the replacement machine in the computer network. The machine assignment module may compare certain configuration parameters such as processor speed, disk drive size, and/or amount of RAM, between the failed machine and the available replacement machines. A replacement module may copy data from another copy of the failed machine in the computer network into the replacement machine. An installation module may install the configuration data in, e.g., dependent machines, and restart the dependent machines.

Abstract: A system and method for direct digital recording of input media such as audio, video, and/or images for easy access and editing are disclosed.

Abstract: A headset having a built-in memory to store parameter settings relating to headset performance characteristics such as headphone(s) and/or microphone performance characteristics. The performance characteristics can be measured during headset production and stored in the memory. A host adapter may communicate with the headset through a serial communications port of the headset. The host adapter may read the headset performance characteristics and adjust signals transmitted to and received from the headset in accordance thereto. When the headset is used in a system, the system parameters can be manually set and stored in the headset memory. When the headset is used again in the same system, the system parameters can be read from the memory and automatically set. The memory may also store product history information of the headset such as production date, serial and model numbers, and/or any service history.

Abstract: Modular data centers with modular components suitable for use with rack or shelf mount computing systems, for example, are disclosed. The modular center generally includes a modular computing module including an intermodal shipping container and computing systems mounted within the container and configured to be shipped and operated within the container and a temperature control system for maintaining the air temperature surrounding the computing systems. The intermodal shipping container may be configured in accordance to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container manufacturing standards or otherwise configured with respect to height, length, width, weight, and/or lifting points of the container for transport via an intermodal transport infrastructure. The modular design enables the modules to be cost effectively built at a factory and easily transported to and deployed at a data center site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cell based wrapped wave front arbiter (WWFA) with bandwidth reservation are disclosed. The method for reserving bandwidth of a given priority using the WWFA for arbitrating bandwidth among virtual links between input and output ports, each virtual link supporting one or more priorities and corresponding to an arbitration unit (AU) of the WWFA generally comprises performing at least one arbitration pass of a wave front of the WWFA where AUs having a reserved bandwidth request of a given priority and reserved bandwidth credit of the given priority compete for the bandwidth associated with the wave front, and where AUs not having a reserved bandwidth request of the given priority and reserved bandwidth credit of the given priority do not compete for the bandwidth, and performing at least one subsequent arbitration pass where AUs having a reserved bandwidth request of the given priority compete for the bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring signals on an integrated circuit die. In one embodiment, a reference signal is distributed to die locations proximal to the signals to be measured. The reference signal is transmitted over transport paths coupling each of the signals to be measured to the die output. The signals to be measured are transmitted over their respective transport paths and measured at the die output. The relative delay between the signals can be calculated using the reference signal measurements.

Abstract: Devices and methods for a minimally invasive procedure for cutting tissue are disclosed. The device generally includes a probe with a distal exit at an exit angle relative to the probe, a cutting loop with shape memory having a preconfigured shape, and a loop securing mechanism to secure the cutting loop in a penetrating configuration and to release the cutting loop into a cutting configuration. The cutting loop is generally within a profile of the probe in the penetrating configuration. In the cutting configuration, the cutting loop extends through the cutting loop exit and generally returns to the preconfigured shape at a cutting angle generally defined by the exit angle. The cutting loop securing mechanism may be, for example, a cover slidable over the probe, a slidable member extending from a distal tip of the probe, or a groove defined in the probe proximal to the cutting loop exit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing a series of interactions with a user to collect multiple pieces of related information for the purpose of accomplishing a specific goal or topic (a multi-slot dialog) using a component-based approach are disclosed. The method generally includes outputting a primary header prompt to elicit values for slots in a segment from the user, receiving a primary user response containing a value for each slot in at least a subset of the slots in the segment, processing the primary user response to determine at least one possible recognition value for each slot contained in the primary user response, filling each slot contained in the primary user response with a matched value selected from the corresponding possible recognition values, and repeating the outputting, receiving, processing and filling for any unfilled slots in the segment until all slots in the segment of slots are filled.

Abstract: A telephone headset utilizing a foldable microphone boom that is operable in both noise canceling and omnidirectional modes is disclosed. The headset generally comprises a main body, a boom extending between a pivoting end and a microphone housing for housing a two-port microphone, and a pivoting hinge coupling the pivoting end of the boom to the main body and enabling the boom to rotate about the pivoting hinge relative to the main body. The boom is adapted to be positioned in a first extended position in which the microphone is located away from the main body and both ports are open and a second folded position in which the microphone housing is at least partially in contact with the main body to generally close one of the ports.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the orientation of soft tissue such as breast tissue for enhanced accuracy of imaging and/or procedures such as a biopsy or excision are disclosed. The system for orientating and maintaining the orientation of soft tissue generally includes a frame defining an opening, the frame being configured to orient and immobilize an area of soft tissue positioned on one side of the opening, an attachment mechanism to secure the frame to an attachment region defined by the area of soft tissue or by a skin surface overlying the area of soft tissue, to facilitate orienting and immobilizing the area of soft tissue, and an imaging device to image the area of soft tissue. The opening may allow a probe of the imaging device or imaging energy transmitted by the imaging device to be movable therein for image scanning of the soft tissue. The probe, e.g., an ultrasound transducer can be rotated within the frame such that the probe scans at least either of two perpendicular directions within the frame.

Abstract: Improper microphone position and speech level on a telephone headset is sensed by comparison of a speech envelope to multiple signal threshold levels. A first threshold is used to determine whether a headset user is talking. A second threshold is used to determine whether a signal level at the microphone is sufficiently strong for proper communication. An indicator is activated when the user is talking and the signal level is too weak. Typically, a weak signal is caused by a mispositioned microphone or a user talking too softly.

Abstract: Mounting structures for facilitating fast and easy installation and/or removal of electronics components into or out of a computer system are disclosed. The mounting structures include a base and a stackable mounting structure. Each mounting structure generally includes generally parallel and opposing spacers, tapered supports extending from the spacers to engage holes defined on a surface of an electronics component, and a base portion extending between being generally orthogonal to the spacers. The spacers may define orifices to facilitate securing the mounting structure and the electronics component to an electronics base via, e.g., a hook and loop material. The stackable mounting structure may include sharp points and angled legs to also engage the electronics component below.

Abstract: Earloops with improved post design for increased reliability and quality for over-the-ear style headsets are disclosed. The earloop includes an earloop main body having connecting and stabilizer portions and a post extending from the connection portion for insertion into a corresponding opening in an audio receiver/transmitter assembly. An embedded hardened steel member extends from the post into the connection portion. The stabilizer portion is configured to be positioned over, around and behind a user's ear. The earloop may be incorporated in a headset that includes the audio receiver/transmitter assembly that defines an opening to receive the post therethrough. The audio assembly may be positionable along a length of the post and rotatable about the post. The hardened steel member increases the stiffness and strength and minimizes breakage of the post and thus increases the reliability, quality, and useful life of the earloop and/or headset.

Abstract: A system and method for automated monitoring of availability in xDSL access networks are disclosed. An xDSL access network with network availability monitoring generally comprises a measurement device in communication with a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) at a central office (CO), a broadband remote access server (BRAS) in communication with the DSLAM, a remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) server in communication with the BRAS, and a data collector at a network operations center (NOC) in communication with the RADIUS server and the measurement device, the data collector being configured to retrieve data from the RADIUS server, the measurement device being configured to automatically establish a PPP session with the BRAS and the RADIUS server being adapted to collect data relating to the PPP session. The measurement device is preferably connected to the DSLAM via an xDSL loop terminating at a DSLAM monitoring port. In addition, the PPP session is preferably authenticated.

Abstract: Duplex communication methods and systems with maximum gain limiting such as in telephone handsets and speaker phones are disclosed. The communications system such as a telephone set may generally include a digital signal processor (DSP) having a receive and transmit path in communication with a receiver and a transmitter, respectively, a volume amplifier for amplifying signals on the receive path, and a maximum gain limiter for determining a total return loss between the receive and transmit paths and for limiting a volume amplification level of the volume amplifier to a maximum depending on the total return loss. The maximum gain limiter determines the total return loss by maintaining a total loop gain for the telephone set at less than 0 dB to prevent unstable operation and howling.