Abstract: In an electrophotographic print mechanism wherein one motor drives two or more removable toner cartridges, the presence of each cartridge is sensed and reported to the motor controller. If one or more cartridges are removed, such as for single-color printing, the motor control equation parameters are altered to compensate for the altered static torque load experienced by the motor. The parameters may be the proportional, integral, and/or derivative gains for one or more PID controllers.

Abstract: A method of broadcasting commercial FM services in a digital format in at least one bitstream comprises time-division multiplexing the bitstream(s) into one or more channels comprising a data frame, and frequency modulating the data frames around a single carrier frequency into a commercial FM broadcast signal. The modulation may comprise GMSK or 8-PSK, and multiple data frame types may be interleaved. The signal is transmitted on a commercial FM broadcast station such that substantially the entire spectrum of the transmission comprises the digital data frames. The bit rate(s) of the digital bitstream(s) may be monitored, and the bitstream(s) may be reallocated to channels in the data frames based on changes in the bit rate(s). Analog and digital formats may be broadcast simultaneously on non-adjacent commercial FM broadcast carrier channels. A receiver is operative to extract and decode content from a digital format FM broadcast signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a vacuum hose and a pressure hose of a carpet cleaning system to a support. In one embodiment, the support is secured to a railing structure of a building or dwelling. The vacuum hose and pressure hose are extended from a base unit to the support which is secured to the railing structure. Both the vacuum hose and the pressure hose are secured or clamped within the support such that both hoses are supported and held intermediately between the base unit and an application wand. This method of supporting vacuum and pressure hoses of a carpet cleaning system is particularly useful when cleaning floors and carpets on levels above ground.

Abstract: Biasing soft output values based on a known or learned bit error rate function yields performance improvements in decoding algorithms adapted to work with soft values, such as soft output Viterbi algorithms (SOVA). For example, in a wireless receiver, the soft output values output from a signal demodulator may be biased to reflect the changes in bit error rate across a given burst or block of data. Such changes might arise, for example, due to increasing inaccuracies in the receiver's channel estimate, which is typically computed at the beginning or middle of a block of received data. The wireless receiver may store a table of scaling factors corresponding to the expected bit error rate distribution of the received signal. The table may be preloaded into the receiver, or may be determined during operation. In either case, the table may be updated during operation to reflect bit error incidence observed during operation.

Abstract: A method of determining an encryption key used by two or more parties for encrypted communications in a manner that prohibits any of the parties from forcing the final value of the encryption key. The encryption key is determined based on numbers exchanged by the parties using a key generation function, such as the Diffie-Hellman algorithm. To prevent any party from forcing the final value of the encryption key to a desired value, a first party divides its number into a plurality of parts, which are transmitted incrementally to the another. After transmitting a first part, the first party waits for receipt of at least a part of a second exchanged number from another party before the first party transmits the remaining parts of its exchanged number.

Abstract: A wire winding machine includes two mandrels for winding wire alternately thereon. A traverse positions wire axially along each mandrel, and moves in an arcuate path to position wire adjacent one or the other mandrel. A single transfer arm transfers wire from a wound to an unwound mandrel by extending a wire guide adjacent the wound mandrel, retracting the wire guide to engage the wire, rotating to position the wire adjacent the wound mandrel, and extending to guide the wire into a clamping and cutting mechanism. The mechanism clamps and cuts the wire in response to the mandrel end cap being placed into position. The wire winding machine includes a portable operator console, and a network interface. A wire tension control unit includes a radiated signal source and detector to detect movement of a moveable pulley assembly relative to a fixed pulley assembly to control the supply of wire.

Abstract: An error amplifier circuit reduces distortion in an amplified signal by reflecting a feedback signal into the amplified signal using an output transformer. A first amplifier generates a reference signal corresponding to the input signal from which the amplifier output signal is derived. This reference signal represents the desired waveform for the amplified signal. An error sense element generates an error signal based on the difference between the reference and amplified signals. The error sense element preferably imparts high common-mode rejection to the error signal. A second amplifier generates the feedback signal based on amplifying the error signal, and an output transformer generates a compensated amplified signal by coupling the feedback signal into the amplified signal. The output transformer increases the reflected load impedance seen by the error amplifier, thus relieving it from driving the feedback signal into the potentially low load impedance driven by the compensated amplified signal.

Abstract: An adsorption-desorption photochemical oxidation process for destroying formaldehyde within an industrial process effluent gas stream is disclosed. The process includes an adsorption-desorption step to concentrate the formaldehyde into a seprate gas stream. The desorbed formaldehyde is oxidized in a photochemical reactor using ultraviolet light. The frequency of light in one embodiment is set at a spectral range of from 220 to 370 nanometers. A conventional wet scrubber is included downstream to control the effluent gas stream from the photochemical reactor. Formaldehyde that escapes the adsorption removal step is directly photolyzed using ultraviolet light in the spectral range of 220 to 370 nanometers.

Abstract: A quartz crystal oscillator comprises a balanced circuit with a quartz crystal resonator device connected in series resonance across a balanced, low-impedance node within a sustaining amplifier. A phase modulator such as a quadrature modulator is included in the feedback loop to allow programming of the loop phase shift thereby to alter the frequency point on the crystal resonance curve at which the circuit oscillates. The in-phase loop signal is hardlimited while the quadrature loop signal component is not hardlimited with the effect that the frequency control curve slope is more accurately defined. An active neutralization of the crystal's parasitic shunt capacitance is disclosed for obtaining a linear frequency control curve.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system primarily adapted for the convenient storage and retrieval of media disks includes a plurality of disk enclosures releaseably supported in a hanging fashion from a rod via a plurality of hanger assemblies. The rod has a plurality of grooves and the hanger assemblies have at least two inwardly extending tabs that engage the grooves. The hanger assemblies have an upper section that includes the tabs, and an elongate docking member attached to and disposed below the upper section. The docking member includes a generally downwardly opening channel having a wider main section disposed above a constricted section. The disk enclosures each have a generally elongate docking section that are adapted to releasably engage the docking member such that the disk enclosures are releasably supported in a hanging fashion from the rod with limited rotational movement about the axis of the rod.

Abstract: The interconnection topology of a serial data communications bus allows for efficient communications within a wireless communications network. A wide-area wireless mobile communications system comprises a MSC connected to a plurality of base stations via a serial communications bus and a first serial port having a first connection order. Each base station also connects to the serial communications bus via a second serial port having an opposite connection order. In one mode, the MSC communicates with each base station over the serial bus through the first serial port. In a second mode, each base station can communicate directly with any other base station over the serial bus, with one base station utilizing the first serial port, and the other base station utilizing the second serial port. The invention is also applicable to a limited-area wireless communications system.

Abstract: A system and method of contouring a perimeter surface of a vertebral body. The invention includes positioning a reference mechanism relative to one or more vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, the reference mechanism is positioned relative to the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. The reference mechanism may have a variety of forms, including mechanical, computerized, and visual. A bone removal mechanism is aligned with the reference mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies. A predetermined relationship exists between the bone removal mechanism and the reference mechanism. The predetermined relationship provides for the bone removal mechanism to contour the vertebral body or bodies in a precise fashion.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting specific information, such as access specific roaming information and/or application specific information, between a home network and a visiting access network is provided. The home network and visiting network are capable of communicating access independent information in a protocol, such as a AAA protocol. The access and/or application specific information is formatted in the AAA protocol. The access and/or application specific information is then transmitted over a public IP network between the home network and the visiting network. A system is provided for transmitting access and/or application information between a visiting network and a home network over a public IP network. A control access server in the visiting access network formats the access information using a secure AAA protocol to form formatted access information. An application server formats application specific information.

Abstract: A tape measure housing has first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall. A metal post is extends between the first and second sidewalls and includes an elongate column portion disposed along an axis and a base portion. The base portion includes a plurality of ribs extending generally normal to the axis. The column portion includes a slot. A fastener may extend through the first sidewall and mate to the column portion. The second sidewall includes a boss having a recess configured to accept the ribs such that the material forming the boss interstitially interengages with the ribs. A fastener may extend through the second sidewall and mate to the base portion. The anchoring portion of the post may include a non-circular flange extending generally normal to the axis, with the recess being configured to accept the flange.

Abstract: A method for forming a negative image of a golf club grip design in a golf club grip mold cavity includes translating an initial golf club grip design to an electric discharge machine electrode, cutting the design into the electrode surface, and rotating and translating the electrode within the mold cavity while engaging in electric discharge machining. The translation from the initial golf club grip design to the electrode includes cordally scaling the design elements such that their cordal relationship is preserved when the design is subsequently formed into the grip mold cavity. In another aspect, a data storage medium stores a program for forming a golf club grip design for the surface of an electric discharge machine electrode.

Abstract: A band, including an extendable loop and worn around a user's arm, is used to apply a compressive force to an attacker's neck in self-defense. When the user positions the hand associated with the band against one side of the neck and grasps the extendable loop from the other side of the neck with the other hand, the user's arms become interconnected. This traps the attacker's neck between the user's interconnected arms and the extendable loop, and allows the user to apply a compressive force to the attacker's neck by simply extending the interconnected arms. The compressive force constricts the flow of blood in the carotid arteries that eventually incapacitate the attacker.

Abstract: There is provided a device, comprising a positioner configured to determine, at least in part, a position of the device and a request processor for processing and selectively responding to requests for information regarding the position of the device. The positioner comprises a GPS receiver used to calculate the position of the device. A communications network in which the device operates may finally calculate the position. Further, the device may be configured to automatically respond to certain network management location information requests, which are generated by a communications network in which the device operates. The device may also be configured to automatically respond to information requests that result from an emergency communication initiated by the user or that originate from certain specified agencies. Alternatively, the device may be programmed to respond to certain request types depending on input from the user of the device.

Abstract: A Method of treating sludge prior to dewatering by mixing with the sludge a cationic metal in the form of an iron or aluminum slat along with a cationic polymer. The addition of the iron or aluminum salt substantially reduces the amount of polymer required for acceptable dewatering, thusly significantly reducing the cost of the dewatering process. The method is enhanced by subjecting the prior digested sludge to mesophilic aeration prior to the cationic metal salt and polymer being added.