Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for fast detection of the onset of a near-end signal is provided. An Acoustic Echo Canceller (AEC) attenuates an acoustic echo present in a tele-communication network. The AEC includes an adaptive filter that estimates the acoustic echo and generates an error signal. The error signal is the difference between the acoustic echo and the estimate of acoustic echo plus a near-end signal, if present. The method comprises computing an onset indicator parameter from the error signal and the estimate of acoustic echo. Several other parameters are subsequently calculated by using the onset indicator parameter, the error signal and the estimate of acoustic echo. The presence of the near-end signal is detected with very low detection delay by using the parameters mentioned above and one or more threshold values.

Abstract: Nanoscale additives and methodology for their use during polymer-aided sludge dewatering to increase the dewatering efficiency compared to traditionally used polymer-only dewatering processes. The nanoscale additive increases the percent solids in the dewatered cake compared to polymer-only treatment. When the nanoscale additives are added, the centrifugal force (shear) required to obtain high percent solids can be significantly reduced and the optimum polymer dose required for effective dewatering is also significantly reduced.

Abstract: A new class of sorbents for the removal of mercury from contaminated water. The optimum structure of the sorbent particles and a method to produce the same is described. The newly developed carbon-based particles are differentiated from other sorbent particles by their high accessible surface area and high affinity towards mercury ions that leads to faster and higher mercury adsorption. The sorbent is based on carbon particles with a metal-oxide coating on the surface. The metal-oxide is coated on the surface of carbon, using a solution-based method. The metal-oxide coated carbon was further modified with sulfur molecules, to increase its mercury removal capacity.

Abstract: A new class of carbon-based sorbents for vapor-phase mercury removal is disclosed in this invention. The optimum structure of the sorbent particles, and a method to produce the sorbent, are described. The sorbent is based on carbon particles with a metal-oxide coating on the surface. The thin metal-oxide layer acts as a barrier for the adsorption of Air Entrainment Admixture (AEA), the component used to stabilize bubbles in cement), thereby enhancing its concrete friendliness. The metal-oxide is coated on the surface of carbon, using a solution-based method. The metal-oxide coated carbon was further modified with sulfur molecules, to increase its mercury removal capacity.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a power amplifier connected as a negative feedback loop around the power amplifier. The negative feedback loop comprises a detector circuit, a driver circuit and an attenuator circuit. The detector circuit receives output voltage from the power amplifier and generates a signal when the output voltage exceeds a predefined threshold. The driver circuit filters the signal received from the detector circuit to maintain feedback loop stability and adjusts the feedback loop bandwidth and gain to provide a filtered signal. The attenuator circuit receives the filtered signal and attenuates the input voltage of the power amplifier to reduce the output voltage of the power amplifier to a level below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: An electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit (EIC-PIC) for achieving high-performance computing and signal processing is provided. The electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit comprises a plurality of electronic circuit structures and a plurality of photonic circuit structures. The electronic and photonic circuit structures are integrated by a process referred to as monolithic integration. An electronic circuit structure includes one or more electronic devices and a photonic circuit structure includes one or more photonic devices. The integration steps of electronic and photonic devices are further inserted into standard CMOS process. The photonic circuit structures and the electronic circuit structures are integrated to form the electronic-integration compatible photonic integrated circuit device.

Abstract: An optical tip for a Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) is provided. The optical tip includes a waveguide with a semiconductor or metal core and a cladding. The refractive-index-square-ratio contrast between the core and the cladding is at least 0.3. The optical tip may also include a light detector and a light source. The waveguide, the light source and the light detector may be integrated to form a single chip.

Abstract: A method for identifying primary product objects on webpages over the Internet. A primary product object displays the best view of the product that a webpage is detailing. Each webpage is divided into sections based on the primary product objects in the webpage. Features of candidate product objects in each section are extracted. The primary product objects are identified by computing probabilities of the candidate product objects in each section being primary product objects, based on a statistical model. The identified primary product objects are stored for subsequent retrieval and display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for consolidating bill payment-related information. A consolidation toolbar is installed inside the browser of a user's computer. The consolidation toolbar enables the user to interact with a virtual consolidation system for facilitating online bill payment-related activities. Lists of all the billers that are of interest to the user are presented through the consolidation toolbar. On selecting a biller, the user is presented with the login page on the biller's web site. The virtual consolidation system assists the user in providing the required information on various web pages on the selected biller's web site, to perform various payment-related activities.

Abstract: A method for changing the color of a diamond. The method comprises placing the diamond in a substrate holder in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment. The CVD equipment is maintained at pressures near or below atmospheric pressure. A mixture of gases including hydrogen is introduced inside the CVD equipment. The introduced mixture of gases is energized by using microwave radiation to heat the diamond to temperatures above 1400° C. Then, the diamond is maintained at temperatures above 1400° C. for few seconds to few hours.

Abstract: A wavelength tunable laser which includes a first mirror, a diffraction grating to diffract a laser beam into a plurality of diffracted laser beams, at least one feedback waveguide, at least one second mirror. Each feedback waveguide precedes one of the second mirrors, and a phase detector to detect an error in a wavelength of a received laser beam with respect to a desired wavelength.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program that enables an application designer to automate the process of software development and develop business applications by modeling the constituent business process models is provided. After identifying the business requirements in terms of the underlying business processes, the same are modeled visually using the inter-relationships across processes. The modeling activity is accomplished by using the visual modeling environment in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, among other tools comprises a set of abstract business components. Each business process is viewed as a collection of business tasks. Each business task is modeled as an instance of an abstract business component. The instance acquires process-specific context with process-specific parameters input by the application designer. Such tasks are then connected together as required for the business process.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing outsourcing of services such as engineering, and ranking suppliers for all activities to ensure quality, controllership and optimum costs, is provided. Outsourcing involves delegating a plurality of activities to a plurality of suppliers. The activities and the suppliers are scored to generate scorecards. Thereafter, an index is calculated, based on the scorecards. Subsequently, the index, along with scorecards, is utilized to rank and select suppliers for all outsourced activities.

Abstract: A method and system for low-complexity implementation of a Viterbi Decoder with near optimal performance has been disclosed. The Viterbi decoding technique is diagrammatically represented as a trellis. The trellis includes various states at different time instants, and branches connecting these states. Each state has an associated state metric and a survivor path sequence, whereas each branch has a branch metric. The state metric for each current state is checked for crossing a predefined limit. If it crosses the predefined limit, the state metric is updated with a new metric that is obtained by subtracting a constant value from the state metric. Thereafter, the method finds a common path in the trellis at each state and updates the survivor path sequence of each state. The Most Significant Bits (MSBs) of the survivor path sequences of the states at a particular time instant are computed and the original data is decoded, based on the count of ‘0s’ and ‘1s’ in the MSBs.

Abstract: The present application is directed to the preparation and use of a class of nanoparticles that contain a single Quantum Confined dopant. A QCA nanocrystal comprises of a plurality of host atoms in a nanocrystal of a size of less than 10 nm with a single atom of a dopant (or activator). This single QCA dopant, when confined, becomes polarized and creates a large magnetic-moment in a nanosize host that contains atoms of unpaired spins. The quantum confined atom (QCA) which is now pinned, triggers the alignment of the host atoms resulting in nanosize magnetic domain. Engineering of nanomagnets based on QCA nanoparticles can be used in different applications such as: sensors, drug delivery, bio-tagging, cell/DNA tagging, magnetic memories and others.

Abstract: An RF heating system for a substrate or substrates including a susceptor for supporting the substrate; one or more RF heating coils; and a platen disposed between the RF heating coil and the substrate. The platen is constructed of materials that become heated under RF energy, which will then radiate heat into the susceptor and the substrate. In this way the susceptor need not be constructed of materials that become heated under RF energy thus minimizing levitation. The platen provides a uniform temperature profile across the substrates, benefiting from a more diffused heat source. The RF heating system may also be utilized in CVD apparatus that deposits materials on a continuous tape or roll.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for organizing and presenting web page information to a user. A browser plug-in extracts a domain name for the web page. Subsequently, a web page category is determined based on the menu table stored in the central repository. The browser plug-in captures the web links included in the web page based on the category of the web page. The captured web links are presented to a user on the browser plug-in.

Abstract: A silicone based coating for fabrics utilizing dual nanocomposite fillers providing enhanced mechanical and thermal properties to the silicone base. The first filler includes nanoclusters of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a metal oxide and a second filler of exfoliated clay nanoparticles. The coating is particularly suitable for inflatable fabrics used in several space, military, and consumer applications, including airbags, parachutes, rafts, boat sails, and inflatable shelters.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated power detector for detecting variations in the power level of an RF signal. The temperature-compensated power detector includes a detector circuit and a temperature compensating circuit. The detector circuit detects the power level of an RF signal and provides an output voltage that corresponds to the power level of the RF signal. The temperature compensating circuit ensures that the output voltage of the temperature-compensated power detector is independent of changes in the temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a test plan of an Integrated Circuit (IC). The test plan includes two or more test sequences. A test sequence includes the measurement of a parameter of the IC. The total test time of the IC is reduced by performing one or more activities during a desired wait time associated with the measurement of the parameter. The test plan may be further optimized by modifying the one or more activities performed during the desired wait time.