Abstract: An optical fiber for transmitting a light beam by a light source including a proximal portion configured to receive the light beam from the light source, the proximal portion having a first numerical aperture, a distal portion configured to emit the light beam to illuminate a surgical field, the distal portion having a second numerical aperture, and a central portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the central portion having a third numerical aperture. The optical fiber is configured to receive the light beam at the proximal portion at the first numerical aperture and output the light beam from the distal portion at the second numerical aperture, wherein the second numerical aperture is greater than the first numerical aperture.

Abstract: A full duplex voice communication method constituted of: estimating an acoustic echo within a near-end signal; cancelling the estimated acoustic echo; detecting whether, or not, a change has occurred in a near-end acoustic echo path, the received near-end signal represents speech and the received far-end signal represents silence, wherein, responsive to the results thereof, the method is further constituted of: alternately attenuating frequency components of the echo cancelled near-end signal by a first frequency domain attenuation value and by a second greater frequency domain attenuation value; alternately attenuating a first function of the frequency component attenuated echo cancelled near-end signal by a first switchable attenuation value and by a second greater switchable attenuation value; and alternately attenuating a second function of the received far-end signal by a third switchable attenuation value and by a fourth greater switchable attenuation value.

Abstract: A glass breakage detection method, constituted of: receiving a plurality of audio samples; estimating low frequency power values of the received plurality of audio samples; estimating wide band power values of the received plurality of audio samples; responsive to the estimated wide band power values, determining an amplification value; responsive to the estimated low frequency power being greater than a predetermined threshold, amplifying a function of the received plurality of audio samples by the determined amplification value; comparing the amplified function with a predetermined function of sound of breaking glass; and outputting an indication of the comparison.

Abstract: A full duplex voice communication method constituted of: estimating an acoustic echo within a near-end signal; cancelling the estimated acoustic echo; detecting whether, or not, a change has occurred in a near-end acoustic echo path, the received near-end signal represents speech and the received far-end signal represents silence, wherein, responsive to the results thereof, the method is further constituted of: alternately attenuating frequency components of the echo cancelled near-end signal by a first frequency domain attenuation value and by a second greater frequency domain attenuation value; alternately attenuating a first function of the frequency component attenuated echo cancelled near-end signal by a first switchable attenuation value and by a second greater switchable attenuation value; and alternately attenuating a second function of the received far-end signal by a third switchable attenuation value and by a fourth greater switchable attenuation value.

Abstract: An audible alarm detector constituted of: a microphone generating an electronic signal from an audible signal; a phase locked loop locking onto a frequency component present in the generated electronic signal to output a demodulated signal; and a pattern detector for comparing the demodulated signal against each template of a known set of templates, each template representing a standard pulse stream, wherein upon detection that the demodulated signal matches one of the known templates, the audible alarm detector is arranged to output an alarm detected signal indicating a presence of one of the standard pulse streams.

Abstract: A glass breakage detection method, constituted of: receiving a plurality of audio samples; estimating low frequency power values of the received plurality of audio samples; estimating wide band power values of the received plurality of audio samples; responsive to the estimated wide band power values, determining an amplification value; responsive to the estimated low frequency power being greater than a predetermined threshold, amplifying a function of the received plurality of audio samples by the determined amplification value; comparing the amplified function with a predetermined function of sound of breaking glass; and outputting an indication of the comparison.

Abstract: An audible alarm detector constituted of: a microphone generating an electronic signal from an audible signal; a phase locked loop locking onto a frequency component present in the generated electronic signal to output a demodulated signal; and a pattern detector for comparing the demodulated signal against each template of a known set of templates, each template representing a standard pulse stream, wherein upon detection that the demodulated signal matches one of the known templates, the audible alarm detector is arranged to output an alarm detected signal indicating a presence of one of the standard pulse streams.

Abstract: A method produces a mast arm with a mast arm body and with at least one pipe holder for a concrete-distributing mast for use on stationary and mobile concrete pumps with a plurality of mast arms which are connected to one another so as to be pivotable on articulated joints about an axis of articulation and which hold a concrete-conveying line which has at least one rotary joint which has an axis of rotation aligned with an axis of articulation of an articulated joint. The at least one pipe holder here has a pipe support section which serves for receiving the concrete-conveying line at a holding point which has a location predetermined by the position of the axis of articulation. The mast arm body is premanufactured with a receiving intersection and the at least one pipe holder is premanufactured with a fastening section which has a connecting intersection.

Abstract: A method produces a mast arm with a mast arm body and with at least one pipe holder for a concrete-distributing mast for use on stationary and mobile concrete pumps with a plurality of mast arms which are connected to one another so as to be pivotable on articulated joints about an axis of articulation and which hold a concrete-conveying line which has at least one rotary joint which has an axis of rotation aligned with an axis of articulation of an articulated joint. The at least one pipe holder here has a pipe support section which serves for receiving the concrete-conveying line at a holding point which has a location predetermined by the position of the axis of articulation. The mast arm body is premanufactured with a receiving intersection and the at least one pipe holder is premanufactured with a fastening section which has a connecting intersection.

Abstract: A method for controlling power dissipated in a subscriber line interface circuit includes measuring a power parameter of the subscriber line interface circuit during a ringing cycle, comparing the measured power parameter to a target power parameter and adjusting at least one ringing parameter of a ringing signal generated by the subscriber line interface circuit based on the comparison. A line card includes a subscriber line interface circuit operable to generate a ringing signal, and a subscriber line audio-processing circuit operable to measure a power parameter of the subscriber line interface circuit during a ringing cycle, compare the measured power parameter to a target power parameter, and adjust at least one ringing parameter of the ringing signal based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for providing a ringing signal includes providing a plurality of batteries coupled to a subscriber line interface circuit operable to generate the ringing signal during a ringing cycle and switching selected batteries during the ringing cycle based on values of the ringing signal during the ringing cycle. A line card includes a subscriber line audio-processing circuit operable to generate values for a ringing signal during a ringing cycle, a subscriber line interface circuit coupled to the subscriber line audio-processing circuit and operable to drive the ringing signal on a subscriber line based on the generated values, a plurality of batteries coupled to a subscriber line interface circuit and a control unit operable to switch selected batteries during the ringing cycle based on the generated values of the ringing signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system using an online website that provides personalized and comprehensive fitness, nutrition, motivation, and training information to registered users, typically without directing them to other sites or requiring the purchase of products. The invention provides an interactive, easy to use, personalized homepage for each user. The user has access to selectable Modules focused on different areas of fitness which open within the personalized homepage to help them improve general fitness ability, strength, speed, agility and flexibility or aid in prevention of and recovery from injuries while providing nutritional guidance, injury prevention and treatment tips, and/or coaching instructions.

Abstract: A method for providing a ringing signal includes providing a plurality of batteries coupled to a subscriber line interface circuit operable to generate the ringing signal during a ringing cycle and switching selected batteries during the ringing cycle based on values of the ringing signal during the ringing cycle. A line card includes a subscriber line audio-processing circuit operable to generate values for a ringing signal during a ringing cycle, a subscriber line interface circuit coupled to the subscriber line audio-processing circuit and operable to drive the ringing signal on a subscriber line based on the generated values, a plurality of batteries coupled to a subscriber line interface circuit and a control unit operable to switch selected batteries during the ringing cycle based on the generated values of the ringing signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling power dissipated in a subscriber line interface circuit includes measuring a power parameter of the subscriber line interface circuit during a ringing cycle, comparing the measured power parameter to a target power parameter and adjusting at least one ringing parameter of a ringing signal generated by the subscriber line interface circuit based on the comparison. A line card includes a subscriber line interface circuit operable to generate a ringing signal, and a subscriber line audio-processing circuit operable to measure a power parameter of the subscriber line interface circuit during a ringing cycle, compare the measured power parameter to a target power parameter, and adjust at least one ringing parameter of the ringing signal based on the comparison.

Abstract: A head and body protection assembly which includes a safety seat shell and a plurality of chambers secured to the shell. A belt which includes a plurality of chambers is placed across the lap or mid section of an individual in the seat. The chambers are inflated to a pre-selected pressure which provides protection of the occupant of the seat from side, rear and frontal impacts. The chambers or pads are inflated or deflated to permit the chambers or pads to be adjusted to the size of the occupant of the seat. The assembly includes a device to indicate the correct inflation pressure. The chambers are fluidly interconnected to distribute fluid throughout the assembly to help absorb the impact of the head of the occupant. The chambers can be filled with an energy absorbing foam.

Abstract: A head protection assembly which can be secured to a seat includes a plurality of chambers or pads, inflated to a pre-selected pressure which provide protection of the occupant of the seat from side and rear impacts. The head protection assembly is placed in a seat in lateral alignment with the side of the head of an occupant of the seat and adjusted to restrain movements of the head caused by vehicle collisions. The chambers or pads are inflated or deflated to permit the chambers or pads to be adjusted to the size of the occupant of the seat. The assembly includes a device to indicate the correct inflation pressure. The chambers or pads are fluidly interconnected to distribute fluid throughout the assembly to help absorb the impact of the head of the occupant. The chambers or pads can be secured to an existing seat to afford additional protection or can be incorporated into the seat during the manufacture of the seat. An inflatable body restraint can also be provided to help protect the occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A head protection assembly which can be secured to a seat includes a plurality of chambers or pads, inflated to a pre-selected pressure which provide protection of the occupant of the seat from side and rear impacts. The head protection assembly is placed in a seat in lateral alignment with the side of the head of an occupant of the seat and adjusted to restrain movements of the head caused by vehicle collisions. The chambers or pads are inflated or deflated to permit the chambers or pads to be adjusted to the size of the occupant of the seat. The assembly includes a device to indicate the correct inflation pressure. The chambers or pads are fluidly interconnected to distribute fluid throughout the assembly to help absorb the impact of the head of the occupant. The chambers or pads can be secured to an existing seat to afford additional protection or can be incorporated into the seat during the manufacture of the seat. An inflatable body restraint can also be provided to help protect the occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A head and body protection assembly which includes a safety seat shell and a plurality of chambers secured to the shell. A belt which includes a plurality of chambers is placed across the lap or mid section of an individual in the seat. The chambers are inflated to a pre-selected pressure which provides protection of the occupant of the seat from side, rear and frontal impacts. The chambers or pads are inflated or deflated to permit the chambers or pads to be adjusted to the size of the occupant of the seat. The assembly includes a device to indicate the correct inflation pressure. The chambers are fluidly interconnected to distribute fluid throughout the assembly to help absorb the impact of the head of the occupant. The chambers can be filled with an energy absorbing foam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for performing longitudinal balance calibration. A differential signal is provided. A calibration of a gain of at least a portion of the differential signal to affect the longitudinal balance associated with the differential signal. Performing the calibration includes: receiving a first portion of the differential signal and determining a gain associated with the first portion; receiving a second portion of the differential signal and determining a gain associated with the second portion; determining a difference between the respective gains of the first and second portions to determine whether the difference is outside a predetermined range of tolerance; and modifying at least of the gain of the first portion and the gain of the second portion based upon a determination that the difference is outside the predetermined range of tolerance.

Abstract: An exercise, diagnostic and training device and method for football players, sports players and the general public, comprising a generally elliptically-shaped peripheral member, a first support member, a second support member, a gripping member, and a plurality of body engagement ribs, all generally cylindrical in cross-section and having protective cushioning. The peripheral member encloses and is fixedly secured to the ends of the first and second support members, the axes of which are generally perpendicular. The gripping member comprises a set of handles and a separator plate on each side of the shield which are supported by the first support member. The plurality of generally horizontal body engagement ribs are supported by the second support member and provide cushioning and protection against injury for opposing players on each side of the shield.