Abstract: An incense device is provided and comprises an elongated incense stick that in one embodiment includes an opening. An ignition device including a head portion and a shaft portion is secured to the incense stick. In another embodiment, an ignition head is secured directly to an end portion of the incense stick.

Abstract: An echo suppressor for bi-directional communications includes an echo canceler and a residual echo suppressor having variable gain. The gain of the residual echo suppressor is controlled based on a characteristic, such as the estimated energy, of the residual voice echo, or alternatively the entire residual echo, preferably on a per-frame basis. In some embodiments, the residual voice echo energy is compared against the estimated non-echo energy to determine the required amount of gain to apply so as to attenuate the residual voice echo below a psychoacoustic perception level. In some optional embodiments, comfort noise is added to the output signal after the residual echo suppressor in an amount that corresponds to the amount of signal energy loss through the residual echo suppressor. Thus, in some embodiments, desired voice and background noise (including local background noise and comfort noise) are used to mask the presence of residual echo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for demodulating a communication signal transmitted at a first rate is provided, wherein the communication signal includes a plurality of addresses and corresponding data packets. The demodulating method includes the steps of receiving the communication signal at a user terminal, identifying which of the plurality of data packets are destined to the receiving user terminal, and demodulating, at a second rate less than the first rate, only the data packets identified as being destined to the receiving user terminal.

Abstract: An anchor includes at least one fluke, a shank, and a float. The relative position of the float with respect to the center of gravity of the combined shank and fluke causes the anchor to assume a generally upright orientation quickly once the anchor is dropped in the water. One end of the shank is attached to the fluke and the float is attached to a rearward portion of the shank, with the float's center of buoyancy spaced away from the connection to the fluke. Upon being put in the water, the anchor quickly assumes a generally upright orientation, i.e., shank up and fluke tip down. Once in the generally upright orientation, the anchor may gently rock side to side with a pendulum-like action, with the tip of the fluke preferably being the lowest point of the anchor, during its descent to the bottom.

Abstract: A stool comprising a seat mounted to a leg assembly. Apertures within the seat are sized to contain fasteners that mount the seat to the leg assembly. Nuts are positioned on a bottom edge of the seat to receive the fasteners. In one embodiment, the present invention is used within institutional facilities because the stool is difficult to disassemble without tools or excessive amounts of force.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for tuning an oscillator to a selected frequency during power measurements of a neighbor list. In response to a received request for the oscillator to tune to a selected frequency, a controller associated with a switch determines whether the request comprises a first request for the oscillator to tune to the selected frequency. If so, the switch is placed in a first position, and the oscillator is provided a voltage control signal from a phase locked loop. The voltage control signal applied to the input of the oscillator is also saved at a location associated with the selected frequency. If the controller determines that the request does not comprise a first request for the selected frequency, a previously saved voltage control signal associated with the selected frequency is applied to the input of the oscillator by placing the switch in a second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved front-end circuitry for a radio transceiver for which the receiver and transmitter share a common transmission path, which is switched between the receiver and transmitter during operation. An additional switch is placed between the RF switch and the receiver circuitry, and, preferably, in close proximity to the receiver circuitry. The switch is configured to provide a low impedance electrical path to ground for the receiver circuitry input during transmission sequences and an open circuit during receiving sequences. Coupling the receiver input to ground during transmission sequences at a location proximate to the receiver input significantly reduces the amplitude of all unwanted signals appearing at the receiver's input during transmission sequences, especially attenuated and/or delayed replicas of the transmitted signal itself.

Abstract: A fitted bed sheet having a stretchable knit construction that includes inherent elastic qualities sufficient to enable the bed sheet to be stretched over and around a mattress. Specifically, the fitted bed sheet is of a knit construction and includes a series of knitted loop courses formed by yarns knitted into a series of consecutive loops. Formed at selected intervals between the knitted loop courses is a series of intermediate courses. Each intermediate course is disposed between one or more knitted loop courses and formed by a repeating pattern of knit, miss and tuck stitches. This particular construction results in an inherently elastic or stretchable knit construction that permits the fitted sheet to be pulled and stretched over a mattress without requiring a sewn-in elastic band.

Abstract: A baling machine for baling tobacco and other materials. The baling machine includes a bale chamber that includes a bottom, opposed ends, a ram assembly, and a pair of opposed side and top assemblies. Each side and top assembly is pivotally mounted adjacent the floor of the bale chamber and movable from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position each side and top assembly extends around the bale chamber and forms a part thereof. In the open position, each side and top assembly extends outwardly from the bale chamber and effectively leaves the bale chamber open from the top, thereby enabling tobacco to be fed into the bale chamber from the top. Once the bale chamber has been filled, the side and top assemblies are closed and the ram assembly pushed through the bale chamber causing the tobacco therein to be compressed and formed into a bale. Thereafter, the bale is either ejected or removed from the bale chamber.

Abstract: A label for a garment including an electronic display such as a liquid crystal display for displaying label information. The label information may include a company name or logo that identifies the source of the garment, product information such as the material content of the garment or care instructions, and manufacturer information. The label information can be contained in multiple screen images which can be stepped through by pressing a button or touch-sensitive area of the display. The display can also be programmed to display a series of related images in sequence to produce an animated logo.

Abstract: A convolutional feedback encoder uses a shift type shift register with both feed-forward and feedback circuit structures to process and encode a fixed length information sequence. The encoder is configured, through careful selection of the feedback coefficients, so as to achieve a tail-biting mode of operation. Tail-biting means that the state of the encoder prior to the input of the first uncoded data bit is the same as the state of the encoder upon input of the last uncoded data bit. The starting state of the encoder is found by linearly combining data bits in the information sequence. The linear combinations are determined by a selection matrix or selection vector which is derived from the feedback coefficients of the encoder.

Abstract: A tool for receiving adapters and sockets of various sizes. One embodiment includes a first receiving end having outer and inner cavities being substantially rectangular with the inner cavity having a smaller diameter than the outer cavity. A second extension end is positioned opposite the first receiving end and includes outer and inner extensions being substantially rectangular shaped with the outer extension having a smaller width than the inner extension. Another embodiment includes a first end having at least two receiving cavities axially aligned. A first receiving cavity is positioned proximate the first end and has a larger diameter than a second distal receiving cavity. A second end includes at least two receiving cavities axially aligned including a third receiving cavity positioned proximate the second end having a larger diameter than a fourth distal receiving cavity.

Abstract: A hand-powered sanding tool utilizes a rigid sanding plate, such as one made of steel. The sanding plate has a plurality of material removal teeth on at least one side for removing material from a workpiece, such as for sanding a board or a wall. The sanding plate is attached to a handle that is preferably ergonomically designed for ease of use. In preferred embodiments, the sanding plate is attached to the handle such that it may be repeatably removed and attached thereto without affecting performance. Further, in some embodiments, the sanding plate is reversible so as to provide an alternate sanding surface for use.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a pair of fuser rollers for fusing toner onto the surface of recording sheets. The apparatus further includes an oil applicator mounted for dispensing oil onto at least one of the fuser rollers. The oil applicator includes a tank for holding oil, a pad disposed adjacent to one of the rollers for applying oil thereto, and an oil reservoir mounted adjacent the pad and connected to the tank for receiving oil therefrom. The oil reservoir includes an ejection port that permits oil within the reservoir to be dispensed to the pad. A flexible diaphragm extends over at least a portion of the oil reservoir, and a seal is secured to the diaphragm. At least one piezo element is secured to the diaphragm for moving the diaphragm and seal between two positions in response to the piezo element being selectively operable between engaged and non-engaged states.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in a positive feed tool for automatically causing a spindle of the tool to stop retracting. The tool includes a device that automatically moves a movable member away from a differential feed gear when the spindle is retracting, which causes the spindle to stop retracting.

Abstract: An orbital watch-winding apparatus includes a base unit and a mandrel rotatably mounted to the base unit. The mandrel is inclined at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. A watch is supported on the outer surface of the mandrel so that it is radially spaced from the axis of rotation. When activated, the watch moves in a circular path about the inclined axis of rotation. The orbital motion of the watch about the inclined axis causes the self-winding mechanism to swing back and forth to simulate the effect produced by normal arm movements when the watch is worn by a user.