Abstract: The invention relates to a compact and portable interactive system for allowing person-to-person communication in a typed language format between individuals experiencing language barriers such as the hearing impaired and language impaired. According to the present invention, the sComm system includes a custom laptop configuration having a display screen and one keyboard on each side of the laptop; and data translations means for translating the original typed data from a first language to a second language. The display screen will further have a split configuration, i.e., a double screen, either top/bottom or left/right depicting chat boxes, each chat box dedicated to a user. The sComm system will be able to support multilingual text-based conversations. In particular, a user will be able to translate, using existing translating technology, the typed text into other languages including, but not limited to, English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French.

Abstract: A method of detecting misrouted inter-office transport facility routes in a telecommunications system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of provisioning orders corresponding to a plurality of newly requested inter-office facility routes to be added to the telecommunications system, and comparing the plurality of newly requested inter-office facility routes to a plurality of preferred routes that have been stored in a preferred routes database to identify a first set of routes that match the preferred routes, a second set of misrouted routes where a preferred route has been defined and previously stored, but where the newly requested route does not match the preferred route, and a third set of unmatched routes where a preferred route has not been previously stored in the preferred routes database.

Abstract: A packet scheduler includes a packet manager interface, a policer, a congestion manager, a scheduler, and a virtual output queue (VOQ) handler. The policer assigns a priority to each packet. Depending on congestion levels, the congestion manager determines whether to send a packet based on the packet's priority assigned by the policer. The scheduler schedules packets in accordance with configured rates for virtual connections and group shapers. A scheduled packet is queued at a virtual output queue (VOQ) by the VOQ handler. In one embodiment, the VOQ handler sends signals to a packet manager (through the packet manager interface) to instruct the packet manager to transmit packets in a scheduled order.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench has inner and outer telescoping housing, portions and a battery tray assembly telescopically receivable in the inner housing portion and a bezel assembly receivable in an aperture in the outer housing portion and interconnected with the housing portions and the battery support assembly by a single fastener. The bezel assembly carries torque measuring circuitry including a microcontroller, and a four-key pad including arrow keys for incrementing and decrementing a preset torque level at any time, an on/zero key and a units key for toggling among plural different units of torque measurement. The preset torque level is displayed until torque is applied or a key is pressed and can be changed and displayed at anytime.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cot assembly that includes a frame, supporting corner pieces and bedding material. The frame is preferably of a one or two piece construction and is shaped into a perimeter defining an interior area. Corner pieces support the frame above an external support surface. The bedding material extends across the interior of the frame and into the corner pieces without any gaps between the material, the frame and corner pieces, thereby protecting against injury which could otherwise result from the presence of such gaps. The continuous frame maintains the cot's rigidity while the corner pieces lower the cot's profile for stacking. The cot includes at least a number of corner pieces corresponding to the corners of the polygonal shape. A pedestal extends downwardly from each corner piece to engage the floor or other supporting surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cot assembly that includes a frame, supporting corner pieces and bedding material. The frame is preferably of a one or two piece construction and is shaped into a perimeter defining an interior area. Corner pieces support the frame above an external support surface. The bedding material extends across the interior of the frame and into the corner pieces without any gaps between the material, the frame and corner pieces, thereby protecting against injury which could otherwise result from the presence of such gaps. The continuous frame maintains the cot's rigidity while the corner pieces lower the cot's profile for stacking. The cot includes at least a number of corner pieces corresponding to the corners of the polygonal shape. A pedestal extends downwardly from each corner piece to engage the floor or other supporting surface. In a preferred form, each of the corner pieces includes top and bottom portions defining a slot therebetween for receiving the bedding material.

Abstract: A packet scheduler includes a packet manager interface, a policer, a congestion manager, a scheduler, and a virtual output queue (VOQ) handler. The policer assigns a priority to each packet. Depending on congestion levels, the congestion manager determines whether to send a packet based on the packet's priority assigned by the policer. The scheduler schedules packets in accordance with configured rates for virtual connections and group shapers. A scheduled packet is queued at a virtual output queue (VOQ) by the VOQ handler. In one embodiment, the VOQ handler sends signals to a packet manager (through the packet manager interface) to instruct the packet manager to transmit packets in a scheduled order.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the porosity of an undergound formation being drilled by a rotating drill bit mounted at the lower end of a drill string. The torque (TOR) and the weight (WOB) applied on the bit when drilling the underground formation are measured; the effect of the geometry of the drill bit on the torque and weight on bit response is determined; the porosity (phi) of the formation being drilled is derived from the measured TOR and WOB taking into account the effect of the geometry of the drill bit. Preferentially, the porosity phi is determined from the following equation:TOR=(k.sub.1 +k.sub.2.phi)WOB.sup.awhere k.sub.1, k.sub.2 and a are parameters characteristic of the geometry of the drill bit.