Abstract: This invention relates to a non-intrusive video quality assessment system. A method and apparatus are provided in which video frame parameters are extracted from a sequence of packets by generating a first video quality parameter for each group of packets associated with a particular frame of video data in dependence upon the frame rate of the video stream; and generating a second video quality parameter for each of said group of packets in dependence upon the size of encoded data comprising the video frame.

Abstract: A mounting structure for the front end of a car or small truck has a frame-shaped structure that surrounds an air cooled pass-through area and exhibits an upper crossmember, a lower crossmember and sidemembers connecting them. The upper crossmember is designed as a closed wall for receiving a hood lock and forms a sealing rib that borders on the air cooled pass-through area for an air-blocking connection of a radiator component. To provide the upper crossmember as the lock crossmember at the mounting structure with a high moment of inertia and to reduce the air cooled pass-through area only to a negligible degree, the upper crossmember is strutted using a lattice structure that is adjacent to the sealing rib and protrudes into the air cooled pass-through area, where the lattice openings form a part of the air cooled pass-through area with their entire opening area.

Abstract: A pluggable conductor terminal includes a plug connector (6) with a pin guide (8) emptying into a contact space (5) and a conductor guide channel (24) with a conductor connection aperture (25) that is transformed into a central clamping space (19) in the clamp housing. The conductor guide channel (24) is inclined toward the pin guide (8). A contact piece (3) with a contact part (4) for the contact pin (7) is mounted in the contact space (5) with a clamp spring (15) for the conductor (33) in the clamping space (19). For the sake of simpler manufacture, the contact piece (3) and the clamp spring (15) are of one piece, and consist of an elongated, flat band (2) bent exclusively crosswise to its longitudinal dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar tracker characterized by having photovoltaic panels arranged in spaced rows at different levels and two slopes, favoring their ventilation and the expansion of the frame; the panels being fixed by means of yokes and clips to a support (3) anchored to the H-shaped frame (4) resting on swivelling supports of a tower having little height supporting the entire structure, its tilt being variable by means of a tension device, the side longitudinal beams (4a) being extendible to house more rows of panels (1) since the remaining structural components, tower, bearings, column and base have been oversized for that purpose.

Abstract: A machine-tool turret-type unit includes a turret disk that is free to rotate about a rotational axis, and a housing on which to mount the turret disk is provided. The housing includes at least one securing device to be secured to the securing section of the machine tool. The securing device includes at least one securing surface to rest against the securing section of the machine tool. The rotational axis lies within a first plane defined by the securing surface(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a hose for transporting material from one destination to another and a method of constructing a hose. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hose may be constructed with two helical coils wound in opposing directions and multiple layers. The hose construction may provide a flexible hose with walls that resist kinking and rupture.

Abstract: A computerized system and method of teaching spelling interfaces with an application that captures a user's misspelled words and adds them to a word database. A teacher or instructor may also add words to the word database based on a user's curriculum, cross-curriculum or words of interest. The words in the word database are utilized to automatically create an individualized spelling teaching assignment and spelling Journal for a user. The user corrects any spelling mistakes that he or she has made and performs assignments with new words including hearing the words pronounced, spelling the words and writing sentences using the words. Spelling tests are also assigned. The teacher or instructor monitors the completion of the various assignments by the students and also monitors how well the assignments are performed.

Abstract: A clamp for mounting an angle bracket on a tubular upright having a side member, an outer jaw and an inner jaw coupled to the side member, and coupling means permitting the side member to pivot relative to the angle bracket about a fixed or non-fixed pivot axis. The inner and outer jaws preferably feature contact surfaces that are portions of circular, cylindrical outer surfaces, but in any case are shaped to contact the cylindrical outer surface of the upright. The clamp is attached to the angle bracket and the jaws are pivotally mounted in the clamp so that the jaws have the necessary number of degrees of freedom with respect to the side member to permit them to contact the upright on extended areas.

Abstract: A unit for compacting waste prior to disposal provides a waste compaction unit for fitting into a housing comprising a lid and an interior for collecting waste. The compaction unit comprises a plunger comprising bellows housed in the lid; a pneumatic locking mechanism housed in the lid; and a pump connected to the plunger via the locking mechanism wherein the pump is arranged in operation to activate the locking mechanism prior to inflating the bellows to extend the plunger axially towards the interior of the housing such that any waste collected therein is compacted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder for drum sticks, drum brushes, mallets and other such percussion implements for playing percussion instruments. The drum stick holder (1), comprising a plurality of substantially parallel tubular sleeves (2), each sleeve being joined to at least one adjacent sleeve and having an entrance (7, 9) with dimensions suitable for receiving just one drum stick, wherein each sleeve (2) is formed from an elastomeric material so that each sleeve may grip a drum stick inserted into the sleeve (2).

Abstract: A conference engine operates in a multiplex processing scheme and requires a signal hardware summer to process all of the programmed conferences, all of the outputs and all of the input channels. The conference engine is only limited by the number of available input channels, the number of desired conference registers, the speed of the implementation, and the amount of memory available on the target system. The conference engine allows the number of available conference channels, the number of conferences per bridge and the number of bridges to be scaled. Each bridge contains a unique set of conference registers and has full access to the input channel data. Additional conference bridges are added by increasing the operating clock/memory to meet the processing requirements of the additional bridge. Conference registers in each conference bridge can be added/removed depending on the system requirements and are independent of the number of input channels.

Abstract: A crane to be fitted in a window opening or the like, between two opposing surfaces, has a strut (14) which is first braced between the surfaces (20a, 20b), and a boom (13) which extends away from the strut. A winch (5) on the crane winds up a lifting cafe (12) which runs over a pulley (3) at the outer end of the boom (13). The top and bottom ends of the strut have end plates (15, 7) which are designed to hold the crane rigidly between the two surfaces, but without damaging any surface finish on either surface. The boom (13) can be swung about the axis of the strut (14) to bring the load carried by the crane in towards the position of the operator.

Abstract: An automatically operated opening access closure and venting mechanism includes a vent with one or more baffles inserted in and opening. The baffles are coupled to an actuator mechanism which operates the baffles as the door moves from a closed to an open position or conversely, from an open to a closed position. When the door is in a closed position, the baffles are closed to maintain the integrity of the door. As the door begins to open, the baffle opens thus equalizing the pressure on both sides of the door allowing the door to be easily pushed open and to close with minimal force.

Abstract: The optical reduction of openings (12) in insulating housings (2) of terminal blocks (1) and an external characterization (23) of said series terminals, is achieved by terminal blocks being provided with conductor connection elements (4). The respective actuating opening of each contact point, which is used to receive actuating tools, is closed by means of a flap (17) provided with an integral hinge, the flaps forming a common surface with the insulated housing. Said flaps can include a visible feature or indicia on the surface thereof, characterizing the type of connection element.