Abstract: An internal subwoofer apparatus is provided for mounting within a computer system. The computer system is a multi-media computer system that processes visual and audio recording and playback. The central processing unit box typically includes the motherboard on which is mounted the main central processing unit as well as any ancillary processing chips needed for the computer system. The computer system also includes memory modules such as short-term memory, long-term memory storage in the form of hard disk drives or removable floppy disk drive systems, as well as long-term disk storage systems, such as CD-ROM systems. User input to the computer system is provided by a keyboard and optionally a pointing device, such as a mouse or track ball. A monitor that displays video signals is provided and the audio system includes a pair of satellite speakers serving as a first channel and a second channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a continuous preparation ply of the type used to make vehicle tires from preparation ply sections having nonmetallic cords. An infeed conveyor successively feeds the preparation ply sections to a butt splicing machine that joins the ends of the two preparation ply sections to form a butt joint. A gum strip applier receives the continuous preparation ply from an outfeed conveyor and applies a gum strip over the butt joint. A method is provided for forming a continuous preparation ply by first automatically forming a butt joint, and thereafter automatically placing a gum strip on the butt joint.

Abstract: A waveguide for use in polarization mode converters and polarization modulators using extrinsic strain to prerotate the principal axes and control birefringence is disclosed herein. The invention relates to the orienting of principal propagation axes in an optical waveguide by pre-stressing the waveguide, using an extrinsic stress, to re-orient the principal propagation axes from an unstressed orientation to a substantially ideal orientation. The waveguide is preferably stressed by an extrinsic strain inducer which applies a shear force to the waveguide to induce anisometry in the waveguide structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing a non-ideal, real mode converter to substantially achieve the performance of an ideal mode converter. The method consists of optimizing the input linear polarization to the mode converter to balance the power in the principal modes of the mode converter at the output of the mode converter. This has the effect of maximizing the orthogonality of the output polarization states of the mode converter. The present invention also provides an electro-optical mode converter with means to adjust the orientation of the input polarization state to substantially balance the power in the principal modes at the output of the converter. In the case of an intensity modulator, the output polarization state can also be adjusted to maximize mode conversion and extinction ratio.

Abstract: A semiconductor based electro-optic modulator comprising a capacitively coupled ground allowing for DC biasing of the modulator and a pre-distortion circuit for alleviating RF skin effect and for increasing bandwidth of modulator. Electrical components and functions of modulator partly located on an alumina pane. Reduction of thermally-induced stresses by connecting modulator ground to package ground via alumina pane is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical mode converter comprising a slow wave electrode structure and including Schottky barriers for preventing an accumulation of free carriers in the optical waveguide region of the converter. The Schottky barriers are also used for suppressing higher order modes in the waveguide. Low refractive index insulators are used to allow efficient driving of the device without hindering the impedance or the microwave index of the optical mode converter. Two-photon absorption processes are eliminated through the use of a waveguide semiconductor material having a bandgap of at least twice the photon energy of the light beam propagating through the optical mode converter.

Abstract: Method and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered.

Abstract: A rack of a cooking implement includes a surface for supporting food, opposed sides and opposed ends separated by the food supporting surface. The rack also includes opposing looped handles. A pan of a cooking implement has opposed end walls that are spaced apart at length further than the length of the rack and opposed side walls that are spaced apart at a width wider than the width of the rack. The pan also includes opposing upstanding handles. The handles include at least one horizontal resting surface for supporting the looped handle of the rack and at least one vertical retaining surface for abutting the looped handle of the rack. As a result, the looped handles of the rack are received and supported by the handles of the pan thereby permitting the rack to hang within the interior of the pan.

Abstract: A rack of a cooking implement includes a surface for supporting food, opposed sides and opposed ends separated by the food supporting surface. The rack also includes opposing looped handles. A pan of a cooking implement has opposed end walls that are spaced apart at length further than the length of the rack and opposed side walls that are spaced apart at a width wider than the width of the rack. The pan also includes opposing upstanding handles. The handles include at least one horizontal resting surface for supporting the looped handle of the rack and at least one vertical retaining surface for abutting the looped handle of the rack. As a result, the looped handles of the rack are received and supported by the handles of the pan thereby permitting the rack to hang within the interior of the pan.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the productivity of technical support specialists in a call center using a client/server configuration. The system comprises a client component and a server component. The client component displays on a display device a form for entry of normal activity and exceptions to normal activity. The client component receives from the technical support specialist indications of normal activity and exceptions. Each indication of an exception includes its type and its length. The client component then requests the server component to record information relating to normal activity and exceptions. When the server component receives the request to record the information, the server component stores the information in a database. The system also provides a reporting component for generating reports to analyze the information stored in the database.

Abstract: A rack of a cooking implement includes a surface for supporting food, opposed sides and opposed ends separated by the food supporting surface. The rack also includes opposing looped handles. A pan of a cooking implement has opposed end walls that are spaced apart at length further than the length of the rack and opposed side walls that are spaced apart at a width wider than the width of the rack. The pan also includes opposing upstanding handles. The handles include at least one horizontal resting surface for supporting the looped handle of the rack and at least one vertical retaining surface for abutting the looped handle of the rack. As a result, the looped handles of the rack are received and supported by the handles of the pan thereby permitting the rack to hang within the interior of the pan.

Abstract: An internal subwoofer apparatus is provided for mounting within a computer system. The computer system is a multi-media computer system that processes visual and audio recording and playback. The central processing unit box typically includes the motherboard on which is mounted the main central processing unit as well as any ancillary processing chips needed for the computer system. The computer system also includes memory modules such as short term memory, long term memory storage in the form of hard disk drives or removable floppy disk drive systems, as well as long term disk storage systems, such as CD-ROM systems. User input to the computer system is provided by either a keyboard and optionally a pointing device, such as a mouse or track ball. A monitor that displays video signals is provided in addition to the internal subwoofer apparatus and the audio system includes a pair of satellite speakers serving as a first channel and a second channel.

Abstract: An internal subwoofer apparatus is provided for mounting within a computer system. The computer system is a multi-media computer system that processes visual and audio recording and playback. The central processing unit box typically includes the motherboard on which is mounted the main central processing unit as well as any ancillary processing chips needed for the computer system. The computer system also includes memory modules such as short term memory, long term memory storage in the form of hard disk drives or removable floppy disk drive systems, as well as long term disk storage systems, such as CD-ROM systems. User input to the computer system is provided by either a keyboard and optionally a pointing device, such as a mouse or track ball. A monitor that displays video signals is provided and the audio system includes a pair of satellite speakers serving as a first channel and a second channel.