Abstract: Membranes used in membrane separation technologies change over time due to changes in physical characteristics of the membrane. Predicting remaining useful lifetime of a membrane is performed by fitting an evolution model of the membrane to real-time performance characteristics recorded for the membrane and by comparing later performance characteristics of the membrane to the evolution model. Updating an evolution model during membrane operation improves estimates of remaining useful membrane lifetime and allows for accurate estimates of estimated membrane end-of-life.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a scaler architecture for image and/or video processing. One aspect relates to an apparatus comprising an image processing unit, a memory, and a coder. The memory is configured to store processed image data from the image processing unit. The coder is configured to retrieve the stored, processed image data from the memory. The coder comprises a scaler configured to upscale the retrieved image data from the memory. The coder is configured to encode the scaled image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pulp bleaching. The method comprises the steps of providing a pulp sample for bleaching, the pulp sample stemming from a pulp producing process, providing a bleaching liquor comprising water and an organic component as solvent components constituting a bleaching medium, dissolved within are at least a bleaching agent, and a basic agent; and subjecting the pulp sample to the bleaching liquor for a predefined amount of time at predefined bleaching conditions. A preferred bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide. The organic component amounts to at least 5% in weight of the bleaching medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pulp bleaching. The method comprises the steps of providing a pulp sample for bleaching, the pulp sample stemming from a pulp producing process, providing a bleaching liquor comprising water and an organic component as solvent components constituting a bleaching medium, dissolved within are at least a bleaching agent, and a basic agent; and subjecting the pulp sample to the bleaching liquor for a predefined amount of time at predefined bleaching conditions. A preferred bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide. The organic component amounts to at least 5% in weight of the bleaching medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a user interface within a phone that responds to a limited vocabulary of user trained voice commands. The interface allows users to perform all phone handset dialing functions using voice commands. Additionally, users will be able to create and modify entries within a voice recognition phonebook, whereby a number within the voice recognition phonebook can be called by saying the name associated with the number. The user interface provides a combination of voice and LCD displayed user prompts and responses to voice input. The interface responds to user voice commands and performs the command functions based upon matches to previously user trained voice command vocabulary words stored in memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating both voice and control data between a communication device (such as a cellular phone) and an external accessory (such as a hands-free kit) over a data bus. The method includes formatting a sequence of bits into a repeating sequence of first time slots and second time slots, transmitting the voice data in the first time slot, and transmitting the control data in the second time slot. Notably, a first bit of each of the second time slots comprises a clock bit that alternates between a high value and a low value (e.g. a ‘1’ or a ‘0’) as between consecutive second time slots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-wavelength multi-stage fiber amplifier exhibiting high power output with a flat balanced gain spectrum. The input stage exhibits a given passive loss and a flattened gain spectrum. The output stage exhibits a passive loss that is lower than the given passive loss and a gain spectrum that is less flat than the gain spectrum of the input stage. In a system utilizing erbium-based gain fibers, the input stage gain fiber can contain an amount of alumina sufficient to provide the desired gain spectrum flatness, while the output stage gain fiber has an alumina concentration sufficiently low to render that stage essentially lossless.