Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for use with a near-end telephone. The near-end telephone is operable to generate an outgoing signal directed to a far-end telephone and to receive an incoming signal generated at least in part by the far-end telephone. A first signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a first signal level associated with the outgoing signal with reference to the first signal level. A second signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a second signal level associated with the incoming signal with reference to the second signal level. The first and second signal processors are further operable to control a loop gain to inhibit loop instability.

Abstract: A conferencing device is described which includes at least one speaker, at least one microphone for capturing energy corresponding to near-end speech, a signal interface for connecting to a voice communication system, and a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor is operable to process near-end signals corresponding to the near-end speech energy in each of a plurality of frequency bands to improve intelligibility thereof, and transmit the processed near-end signals to the voice communication system via the signal interface. The digital signal processor is also operable to receive far-end signals from the voice communication system via the signal interface, process the far-end signals in each of the plurality of frequency bands, and transmit the processed far-end signals for presentation over the speaker.

Abstract: A conferencing system is described which includes a plurality of conferencing devices and a hub device. Each conferencing device is operable to process near-end speech energy signals to improve the intelligibility of the near-end speech, transmit the processed near-end signals to the hub device, receive far-end signals from the hub device, process the far-end signals, and present the processed far-end signals over its speaker. The hub device is operable to communicate with each of the conferencing devices and a voice communication system, selectively combine the processed near-end signals received from the conferencing devices, transmit the combined near-end signals to the voice communication system, receive the far-end signals from the voice communication system, and transmit the far-end signals to the conferencing devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for use with a near-end telephone. The near-end telephone is operable to generate an outgoing signal directed to a far-end telephone and to receive an incoming signal generated at least in part by the far-end telephone. A first signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a first signal level associated with the outgoing signal with reference to the first signal level. A second signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a second signal level associated with the incoming signal with reference to the second signal level. The first and second signal processors are further operable to control a loop gain to inhibit loop instability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for enabling a computer to manipulate programming breaks in an original digital content stream. One of a plurality of substitute durations is selected with reference to a first duration of a first programming break. The selected substitute duration is substituted for the first duration, thereby generating a modified digital content stream having a modified programming break.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for effecting multi-band processing of an original sampled signal. The original sampled signal is separated into a plurality of signal components each corresponding to one of a plurality of frequency bands. A dynamic range associated with each one of the plurality of signal components is independently and dynamically controlled. At least one signal level associated with the plurality of signal components is modified. The signal components are combined into a processed sampled signal.

Abstract: Respective input electric audio signals are individually processed through respective input gain stages. Any of these processed input signals can be connected to any one or more of several outputs. Each of these inputs and outputs can be selectively adjusted. Therefore, dynamic signal processing can occur both at the input and the output, but no signal processing occurs within a switch matrix by which the input signals are selectively connected to desired outputs.

Abstract: An interface for a peer-to-peer communications network, such as a token ring network, uses a master-slave serial communications controller and an adapter to enable the interface to operate in a peer-to-peer mode on the network.

Abstract: An acoustic emission transducer has an improved design and mounting arrangements for using it to monitor machine tool operating condition. The transducer has a hollow housing with external threads capable of making a threaded mounting connection through which acoustic emission energy generated by operation of a machine tool propagates and is then transmitted by the housing. Also, a wear plate is attached to one end of the externally-threaded housing and supports a piezoelectric detecting element in the housing. The plate is capable of transmitting acoustic emission energy and the detecting element is capable of detecting it and generating an electrical signal in response thereto. In a surface mounting arrangement of the transducer, an adapter is used in mounting the transducer to a surface of the machine tool support structure. In an integral mounting arrangement of the transducer, the housing of the transducer is threaded directly into an internally threaded cavity in the machine tool support structure.