Abstract: A data structure of a MAC header for a WirelessHD communication system including an application layer, a media access controller (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer, includes, a payload data packet from the application layer; a MAC header of a fixed length; a MAC header extension of a variable length; a MAC header extension control field which signals if a particular field needs to be included or excluded; a PHY header for synchronizing the behavior of the PHY layer; a first CRC segment for a cyclic redundancy checksum for checking transmission of the MAC header and the PHY header; and a second CRC segment for a cyclic redundancy checksum for checking transmission of the MAC header extension. Either the MAC header or the MAC header extension includes a size indication of the MAC header extension for facilitating checking of the second CRC segment.

Abstract: Data storage reliability is maintained in a write-back distributed data storage system including multiple nodes. Each node comprises a processor and an array of failure independent data storage devices. Information is stored as a set of stripes, each stripe including a collection of at least a data strip and associated parity strips, the stripes distributed across a primary data node and multiple corresponding parity nodes. A read-other parity update protocol maintains parity coherency. The primary data node for each data strip drives parity coherency with the corresponding parity nodes, independently of other data nodes, in keeping relevant parity strips for the primary data node coherent. A parity value is determined based on data other than a difference between new data and existing data. A new parity value is based on new data and dependent data, wherein with respect to one data value, dependent data comprises other data encoded in a corresponding parity value.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprises a horn waveguide having a waveguide surface, and a transducer located in, or adjacent to, a throat of the horn waveguide. The transducer has a substantially rigid convex dome-shaped acoustically radiating surface. A horn angle subtended between a longitudinal axis of the horn waveguide and the waveguide surface at the throat of the horn, is in the range 20 to 60 degrees. An intersection angle subtended between a plane tangential to the dome shape of the acoustically radiating surface and a plane tangential to the waveguide surface at a point where the dome shape or an extrapolation of the dome shape meets the waveguide surface or an extrapolation of the waveguide surface, is in the range 85 to 110 degrees.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid solution containing soluble salts of coloring metals—particularly manganese and ferric nitrate along with a sugar source and fulvic and/or humic acid can be readily applied to rock, soil or artificial construction surfaces impart a natural color tone to such surfaces. In this manner the visibility manmade disturbances is quickly and easily reduced and disturbed areas readily blend into the natural background. The liquid solution can be readily sprayed on rock or other surfaces. When the ambient temperature is warm natural color will develop in 4-8 days.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling and forming a food dough includes: a rolling roller configured to roll out a block of food dough placed on a table; and a frame unit having an inner circumferential surface configured to face the rolling roller. The rolling roller is configured to revolve around a revolving axis, and rotate around a rotation axis of the rolling roller. The rolling roller includes a first portion having a substantially conical or frustum shape extending in a rotation axial direction. The frame unit is provided outside of a revolving locus of the first portion of the rolling roller. The inner circumferential surface of the frame unit includes an upper side portion and a lower side portion that is farther from the revolving axis than the upper side portion with respect to the revolving radial direction.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end is operable to move a suture through body tissue. A handle assembly is coupled to an elongated shaft having a hollow configuration. An actuating rod is disposed to extend between the handle assembly and the shaft. A needle assembly at the distal end of the actuating rod is movable with the actuating rod between an extended state and a retracted state. Bifurcated portions of the needle assembly define a suture slot, the bifurcated portions have a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the retracted state and having a separated relationship when the needle assembly is in the extended state. The needle assembly is biased to the retracted state and the bifurcated portions are biased to the separated relationship.

Abstract: A system and method for pseudorandom permutation for interleaving in wireless communication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first ordered sequence of communication symbols having a first order, permuting the first ordered sequence of communication symbols to generate a second ordered sequence of communication symbols having a second order, and outputting the second ordered sequence of communication symbols, wherein the second order is based, at least in part, on a third order having a greater size than the second order, the third order being a pseudorandom permutation defined by the input-output relationship Y = mod ? ( m * S * ( S + 1 ) 2 , P ) , wherein P is the smallest power of two not less than the number of elements in the first ordered sequence, S is an input order represented by a sequence of consecutive integers from zero to P?1 in increasing order, Y is an output order represented as a sequence of integers, and m is an integer.

Abstract: A roll stop system for a lift includes a roll stop member that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a driving mechanism for moving the roll stop member between the raised position and the lowered position, and a spring member acting as a buffer between the driving mechanism and the roll stop member, and preferably the spring member protects the driving mechanism from damage due to abnormal operations of the roll stop member.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for maintaining removable, rotatable gobo holders in place on a fixed baseplate within an effects lighting fixture. In the first preferred embodiment, a gobo platform includes a rotatable baseplate having at least one aperture and at least one removable, rotatable gobo holder including points of active retention configured to retain the removable, rotatable gobo holder on the rotatable baseplate.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a transmit beamforming vector for transmission of high definition video data over a wireless medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one transceiver, a memory configured to store a first transmit beamforming vector, and a processor configured to i) perform beamforming with the first transmit beamforming vector to modulate a first training signal, ii) transmit the modulated training signal via the at least one transceiver, iii) receive a second modulated training signal via the at least one transceiver, iv) obtain a second transmit beamforming vector based on the modulated second training signal, v) replace the first transmit beamforming vector in the memory with the second transmit beamforming vector, and vi) determine whether to use the second transmit beamforming vector to modulate a high definition video data signal to be transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communication of uncompressed video data are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a wireless communication device. The device includes a receiver configured to receive a data packet, and a transmitter configured to send an acknowledgment (ACK) signal upon receiving a data packet. The ACK signal includes a physical layer preamble, a physical layer header including a plurality of bits indicative of the status of the data packet, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field. The ACK signal optionally includes a payload field containing beam-tracking data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface for a user to discover and control devices that are currently connected to a network, such that at least one of the devices performs steps, by: (a) obtaining information from one or more of the devices currently connected to the network, the information including device information; and (b) generating a user interface description based at least on the obtained information, the user interface description including a reference associated with the device information of each of the devices currently connected to the network, such that the reference includes at least one link to information contained in the devices currently connected to the network. As such, a user interface can be displayed using the references in the user interface description, for controlling the devices currently connected to the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for context-sensitive exchange of electronic information, is provided. One implementation involves maintaining multiple signatures for a sender; associating each signature with a recipient address or communication content pattern described based on a rule; sending an electronic communication to a recipient address by automatically selecting a most appropriate signature among the multiple signatures based on the recipient address or content pattern in the communication; and including the selected signature in the electronic communication.

Abstract: A high accuracy clock synchronization mechanism between a sender and a receiver in a communication network achieves time synchronization using broadcast beacons, directly at the PHY/MAC layer of the sender and the receiver, to minimize synchronization delay jitter. This provides a more efficient synchronization method than either NTP or SNTP, because multiple handshaking information exchange is avoided. Further, using beacons avoids the overhead of introducing additional synchronization packets in higher layer synchronization.

Abstract: A ratcheting strap-down system for use with a crossbar to securely transport any variety of objects. The ratcheting strap-down assembly includes a ratcheting receiver and a cam clamp receiver. The ratcheting receiver includes a ratcheting assembly and a locking mechanism and is adapted to engage a second end of a flexible strap. The flexible strap is preferably made from reinforced steel cog belt, making the system and the objects it's securing less susceptible to theft. The ratcheting strap-down system is particularly useful for securing one or more surfboards to the crossbars of an after-market roof rack assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for electricity consumption profile management for electrical devices, is provided. One implementation involves receiving an energy consumption control command at a consumer site including on or more electrical devices connected to an energy distribution network; determining energy consumption adjustment including determining an energy consumption adjustment for at least one of the electrical devices based on the energy consumption control command; and transmitting an energy consumption adjustment message to said at least one of the electrical devices, commanding the electrical device to adjust its electrical energy consumption accordingly.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing data access. The method includes receiving a request for accessing a file, determining a type of the received request that corresponds to an access pattern based on history of many files, marking the request based on the type of request to identify the request as a candidate to be part of a sequential scan for accessing files in a sequential order, and processing the request based on the marking to throttle access of the file in the case of a potential ongoing erroneously requested sequential scan.

Abstract: A method of efficient scheduling for portable devices communicating with a coordinator over a network is disclosed. The method includes: listening for beacons broadcasted by a coordinator; assigning, by the coordinator, a single contiguous time block (CTB) for portable devices during a superframe defined by consecutive beacons; scheduling a single wake period of one of the portable devices, which overlaps inclusively with consecutive beacons and the single CTB; and minimizing duration of the single wake period of the portable device. The single CTB may be arranged next to one of the consecutive beacons. The method may further comprise assigning, by the coordinator, a single random access time block (RATB) for the one of the portable devices so as to overlap with the single wake period. The RATB may be arranged next to one of consecutive beacons. The CTB may be arranged next to the RATB. The CTB may be arranged next to one of the consecutive beacons.

Abstract: A valve device includes a valve body having a cavity, a stopper member in the cavity, and a fluid passage in fluidic communication with the cavity when the valve device is in an open state. A stem is coupled to the stopper member for driving the stopper member to open or close the valve. The stem extends through a stem aperture in the valve body. A first self-expanding seal around the stem is used to seal off an annular gap around the stem. A second self-expanding seal and a third self-expanding seal are disposed around the fluid passage substantially concentrically to prevent leakage. A method for assembling and sealing the valve device, and a valve system are also provided.