Abstract: Non-intrusive speech quality assessment method and apparatus for storing a sequence of intercepted packets associated with a call, each packet containing speech data, and an indication of a transmission time of the packet; storing with each intercepted packet an indication of an intercept time of the packet; extracting a set of parameters from the sequence of packets; and generating an estimated mean opinion score in dependence upon the set of parameters. The extracting step comprises the sub steps of: generating a jitter parameter for each packet of the sequence of stored packets; generating a long term average jitter parameter for the stored packet; and generating a differential jitter parameter in dependence upon the jitter parameter for the stored packet and the long term average jitter parameter.

Abstract: Non-intrusive speech quality assessment method and apparatus for: storing a sequence of intercepted packets associated with a call, each packet containing speech data, and an indication of a transmission time of the packet; storing with each intercepted packet an indication of an intercept time of the packet; extracting a set of parameters from the sequence of packets; and generating an estimated mean opinion score in dependence upon the set of parameters. The extracting step comprises the sub steps of: generating a jitter parameter for each packet of the sequence of stored packets; and generating a consecutive positive jitter parameter for the stored packet.

Abstract: A method to prevent deposits on a ceramic surface comprising: (1) pretreating the surface by applying an aqueous solution containing from about 200 ppm to about 1000 ppm by weight of an amphoteric fluorosurfactant, and (2) periodically applying an aqueous maintenance solution comprising from about 1 ppm to about 200 ppm of at least one of an amphoteric or cationic fluorosurfactant or a mixture thereof, from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm of a sequestering acid, and from about 2.5 ppm to about 200 ppm of a quaternary ammonium biocide compound, wherein all concentrations are by weight of aqueous solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive an input message specifying a query identifier and query parameters. A query definition specified by the query identifier is retrieved. The query parameters are mapped in accordance with the query definition to form a query. The query is passed to a semantic layer with semantically dynamic objects. Query results are received from the semantic layer. The query results are mapped to a specified web service interface to form an output message.

Abstract: A device having an initiator and an integrated planar switch. The initiator has a base, an initiating element that is coupled to the base, a first element pad, which is electrically coupled to a first side of the initiating element, and a second element pad, which is electrically coupled to a second side of the initiating element opposite the first element pad. The integrated planar switch has a source pad and a return pad. The source pad is coupled to the base and is spaced apart from the first element pad by a first gap distance to define a first gap therebetween. The return pad is coupled to the base and is spaced apart from the second element pad by a second gap distance to define a second gap therebetween.

Abstract: A system to enable detection of a response of a communications system to timed interruption of communications includes a computer that transmits and receives signals using at least one communication path and a device that disables the communications path based on a control signal. The control signal instructs an intended interruption in communications in the communications path.

Abstract: A laminated nut having a plurality of conical spring discs for use with a bolt assembly. Each of the discs is formed with a hex shaped outer periphery and a non-round central bore. The discs are assembled on top of each other forming a laminated stack. A threaded tension sleeve is located in the central bore and has a non-round outer periphery shape corresponding to the shape of the central bore of the discs. The tension sleeve has a threaded inner peripheral wall with the threads sized to fit the bolt assembly. The tension sleeve includes an upper flange to engage and hold the upper portion of the laminated stack and a lower flange to support the laminated stack. Application of a torqueing force to the outer, hex shaped periphery of the discs forces them to deflect and contact the threaded tension sleeve applying force along the length of the bolt assembly in a uniform manner to reduce clearance between the bolt threads and the threads on the nut tension sleeve.

Abstract: An igniter assembly with a housing, an initiator, an input charge, a first barrier, a second barrier, and an output charge. The input charge is formed of a secondary explosive and disposed adjacent the initiator. The first barrier cooperates with the housing to form a chamber into which the input charge is received. The second barrier is disposed on a side of the first barrier opposite the input charge and combusts in response to energy released during detonation of the input charge. The output charge is formed of a pyrotechnic material and disposed on a side of the second barrier opposite the first barrier. The output charge can combust in response to energy released during combustion of the second barrier. The housing and the first barrier cooperate to isolate the output charge from heat and pressure generated by the input charge if the input charge is cooked-off.

Abstract: A method to prevent deposits on a ceramic surface comprising: (1) pretreating the surface by applying an aqueous solution containing from about 200 ppm to about 1000 ppm by weight of an amphoteric fluorosurfactant, and (2) periodically applying an aqueous maintenance solution comprising from about 1 ppm to about 200 ppm of at least one of an amphoteric or cationic fluorosurfactant or a mixture thereof, from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm of a sequestering acid, and from about 2.5 ppm to about 200 ppm of a quaternary ammonium biocide compound, wherein all concentrations are by weight of aqueous solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A rubberized conveyor belt fastener is provided including a plate portion and elastomeric material that extends beyond lateral sides of the plate so that gaps between adjacent plate portions in a conveyor belt splice can be minimized. The plate portions can also include elastomeric material extending over the upper surface thereof to better absorb impact forces therewith. Preferably, the elastomeric material connects a strip of plates together. Both upper and lower plates can be provided with elastomeric material with the lower plates of solid plate fasteners having bolts preassembled thereto deriving the additional benefit of utilizing the elastomeric material to hold the bolt head in its lower plate aperture.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a dissolvable solid containing an active oxygen compound and precursors for chlorine dioxide characterized in that when said solid weighs a total of about 5 grams it dissolves in about 3.8 liters of water at 25° C. in less than 30 minutes, thereby generating an antimicrobial solution containing at least 10 ppm chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: A composition and a process for using the composition to treat water for clarifying, sanitizing, or disinfecting water wherein the composition comprises an active oxygen compound and one or more precursors for generating chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and the process comprises contacting water with a solid composition comprising an active oxygen compound and precursors for generating ClO2 and is characterized in that, upon the contacting, at least 10 grams of the composition can be dissolved in about 3.8 liters of water at 25° C. in less than about 60 minutes, thereby generating a solution containing at least about 40 ppm ClO2, is disclosed.

Abstract: An integral rescue device preferably worn by a firefighter that includes a shock absorbing descender attached to the rescue device, a support line passing through the shock absorbing descender, an anchor connection attached to a first end of the support line in the vicinity of the shock absorbing descender, and an assembly for holding the support line. The assembly preferably includes a plurality of holders in which intermediate loops of the support line are retained near the terminus of each of the intermediate loops. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing descender is attached to a waist belt of a self-contained breathing apparatus carrier with a support line passing through the shock absorbing descender, an anchor connection attached to a first end of the support line in the vicinity of the shock absorbing descender, and an assembly for holding the support line.

Abstract: An initiator with a housing formed of plastic and a chip assembly for initiating at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event. The chip assembly includes an electrically-actuated chip and a pair of electric leads that extend through the housing and are configured to couple the electrically-actuated chip to a fireset circuit. The electrically-actuated chip is partially encapsulated in the housing. A method for forming an initiator is also provided.

Abstract: A bottle cork removal and insertion tool includes a shell formed with a center cylindrical partial bore within which is a hood that captures a cork from a bottle. The cork is positioned within the hood and the handle on an axial threaded shaft is rotated which advances the hood, and the captured cork, away from the bottle. A capturing plunger extends into the hood as the shaft is rotated in order to secure the cork in place in the hood. The threading on the shaft has a fine threaded portion to initiate the removal of the cork, and a coarse threaded portion to complete the removal in a single rotation. If desired, the cork can be positioned within the hood, the device positioned over a bottle top, and the cork can be re-inserted into the bottle by reversing the rotation of the threaded shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-intrusive speech quality assessment system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-intrusive speech quality assessment system.

Abstract: An alkaline aqueous cleaning composition for cleaning a substrate contaminated with industrial-type soil contaminants contains (i) an aqueous portion and (ii) an active-ingredient portion composed of (A) an alkalinity-providing agent and (B) a surfactant mixture containing (a) an active concentration of an ethoxylated C12-14 alkanol surfactant having an HLB value at 25° C. of from 8 to 12 and (b) an active concentration of at least one aminocarboxylic acid surfactant of the general formula R—N(H)—R′, wherein R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic organic group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and R′ is a straight or branched chain carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. At an active-concentration ratio of surfactant (a) to surfactant (b) of about 2.5:1, the surfactants have a synergistic effect on the cleaning composition's ability to remove certain types of industrial-soil contaminants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to determine a failure of an automatic transmission temperature sensor in an automobile. The apparatus detects a start-up of the vehicle. A sensor detects the transmission fluid temperature. The transmission fluid temperature at start-up is checked to see if the temperature is below a first predetermined temperature or above a second predetermined temperature. If the sensor does not detect a predetermined change in temperature during operation of the vehicle after it is determined the transmission fluid temperature at start-up is above the first predetermined or below the second predetermined temperature, the sensor has failed.