Abstract: A satellite navigation system assistance server is configured to reply to client requests that include an indication of the client's location, and if an accurate location is included in the server request, the satellite navigation system assistance server computes which particular SBAS systems are observable to the requesting client, and in this case the satellite navigation system assistance server limits its replies to pertinent information for a more compact response message.

Abstract: A stapler comprises an upper assembly for driving a staple through a stack of papers to be bound, and a lower assembly with a staple anvil for clinching the staples only after the staples are completely driven through the papers. The staple anvil is kept clear of the effort to drive in the staples by a risen table that is allowed to drop around the staple anvil in a second stage of operation. The upper assembly and a handle for the user are provided that are arranged to give the user a 2:1 mechanical advantage with a lever arrangement.

Abstract: A resolution proportional digital zoom system comprises a CCD imaging device with over a million pixels resolution. A standard fixed-1X optical lens is fitted to the imager. A communication channel with a limited bandwidth is used to transmit video. Such bandwidth is substantially less than the imager's full resolution times its frame rate. A user is provided with controls to pan and zoom within the imager's field of view. The pixel resolution is proportionally controlled such that video output data rate on the communication channel is optimal and held within maximum limits at any pan/zoom setting.

Abstract: The aluminum smelting from alumina in the Hall-Heroult cells can be dramatically improved by using one or a combination of the following features together or in alternative to the Bayer alumina as feedstock: Al+++ alumina, sawtooth shaped electrodes, and lower temperatures. Laboratory experiments have shown that higher rates of dissolution of the Al+++ alumina in molten fluoride baths combined with lower voltage drops and improved design of electrodes can allow the operation of the cells at even higher current density, thus increasing overall productivity and efficiency of the cells.

Abstract: A laptop computer harness having a left shoulder strap for providing for the support in front of a standing user of a left side of a laptop computer. An upper part of a single belt is attached at a point near a left rear corner of the laptop computer, then passes over the left shoulder and then under the left arm of the user, and with an attachment to attach a lower part of the strap to a left front corner of the laptop computer. A right shoulder strap for providing for the support in front of the user of a right side of the laptop computer. An upper part of a single belt is attached at a point near a right rear corner of the laptop computer, then passes over the right shoulder and then under the right arm of the user, and with an attachment to attach a lower part of the strap to a right front corner of the laptop computer. A chest webbing for gathering the left shoulder strap to the right shoulder strap along a transverse line in front of the user's neck near the user's chest area.

Abstract: A GPS navigation receiver channel tracks satellites' Doppler frequencies sequentially during the twenty milliseconds that the signal is coherent in each bit time of the navigation data modulation. It measures frequency by differencing the angles of signal-vector sums weighted by parabolic humps, exploiting the commutativity of linear processing operations to raise the signal-to-noise ratio before the nonlinear operation phase of detection.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with an output frequency f.sub.out that is dependent on a VCO-control voltage input. A divide-by-k counter is connected to receive the output frequency f.sub.out and to output a pair of in-phase and quadrature phase signals f.sub.k. A vector modulator is connected to receive the in-phase and quadrature phase signals f.sub.k and the output frequency f.sub.out, and outputs a single sideband (SSB) modulated output f.sub.n comprising only one of the sum (f.sub.out +f.sub.k) or difference (f.sub.out -f.sub.k) products. A divide-by-n counter is connected to receive the modulated output f.sub.n and to output a feedback frequency sample f.sub.f. And a phase detector is connected to receive the feedback frequency sample f.sub.f and to compare it with a reference frequency f.sub.r. A phase error output signal is provided for the VCO-control voltage input.