Abstract: An integrated telephone and hearing aid that has a single in-ear speaker is disclosed. The illustrative embodiments automatically adapt the operation of the hearing aid based on whether a telephone call is in progress or not. For example, when the user is not engaged in a telephone call, the illustrative embodiments function as a normal hearing aid. But when the user does become engaged in a telephone call, the illustrative embodiments alter the hearing aid function so that the user can hear the telephone call. For example, the illustrative embodiments attenuate the hearing aid function while a call is in progress so that the user can hear both the telephone call and retain some, albeit diminished, auditory input from the environment. This enables, for example, the user to still hear loud sounds (e.g., a car horn, a fire alarm, a person screaming, etc.).

Abstract: A deck-mounted inclined munitions launcher is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the launcher includes a platform, two pivotally-coupled munitions canisters, and a drive system. An exhaust end of each munitions canister is movably coupled to the platform while the launch end of each canister is not coupled to the platform. A drive system engages the exhaust end of each munitions canister. The canisters lay substantially flat, side-by-side, in a pre-launch position. To raise the munitions canisters to a launch position, the drive system pulls the exhaust end of each of the canisters toward one another. Since the canisters are pivotally coupled, the pull of the drive system on the exhaust end of the canisters causes the launch end of each canister to rise in a scissoring motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling a telecommunications terminal to notify its user of the arrival of a message via a ringtone whose properties are based on information from one or more call logs. A network infrastructure element (e.g., a switch, a server, etc.) receives a message directed to a terminal and establishes property values for a ringtone (e.g., tempo, volume, pitch, rhythm, etc.) based on information from a call log (e.g., how many times the caller has called today, whether an earlier call from this caller was returned, etc.). In a first illustrative embodiment the network infrastructure element sends the message and the instantiated ringtone to the terminal, while in a second illustrative embodiment the network infrastructure element sends the message and the property values to the terminal, and the terminal plays a locally-stored ringtone in accordance with the property values.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling multiple telecommunications terminals that are associated with a common user to notify their user of the arrival of an incoming message via a ringtone, where the ringtone is: (i) coordinated across the terminals, and (ii) customized for each terminal based on one or more attributes of the terminal. In particular, in the illustrative embodiments a coordinating terminal that receives a message also directed to another telecommunications terminal sets the values of one or more properties of a ringtone (e.g., tempo, timbre, pitch, rhythm, etc.) based on one or more attributes of the other telecommunications terminal (e.g., terminal type, etc.).

Abstract: A correlation SONAR that provides improved velocity estimates due to a reduction in random and bias errors is disclosed. Rather than basing the velocity estimate on a single set of primary receiver pairs, one or more additional velocity estimates are generated based on one or more available receiver pair sets having the same velocity vectors as the primary receiver pairs set. Additional velocity estimates also provide a reliability and accuracy improvement by enabling identification and subsequent elimination of erroneous velocity estimates.

Abstract: A vertical translation mechanism for reconfiguring the hull form of a reconfigurable vessel having independently movably side hulls and a center hull is disclosed. The vertical translation mechanism includes a hydraulic-force actuator and a nonmetallic bearing. The hydraulic force actuator comprises a rod that is disposed within a hydraulic cylinder. Responsive to changes in hydraulic pressure in the cylinder, the rod is extended or retracted therefrom. Movement of the rod controls the vertical translation of the center hull and its rotational attitude relative to the side hulls.

Abstract: A reconfigurable marine vessel is disclosed. The marine vessel includes an upper hull, two propulsion hulls, and two struts for coupling the propulsion hulls to the upper hull. The struts are segmented and are capable of reconfiguring the marine vessel. In one configuration, the vessel can be folded for launch and recovery. In a second configuration, the struts can be extended downwardly for cruising and surveillance. In a third configuration, the struts can be extended laterally from the upper hull to provide a minimum-draft configuration for approaching a beach.

Abstract: A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are traits of electromagnetic signals that are dependent on topography, the receiver, the location of the transmitter, and other factors. For example, if a particular radio station is known to be received strongly at a first location and weakly at a second location, and a given wireless terminal at an unknown location is receiving the radio station weakly, it is more likely that the wireless terminal is at the second location than at the first location.

Abstract: A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons detection system is disclosed that comprises an array of spatially-disparate hazardous material sensors that all feed into a centralized system control center. This enables the embodiment to receive and coordinate in one place all of the hazardous material sensors spread over a wide area, and, therefore, enables an alarm to be quickly issued in the event of a real attack. To accurately reduce false alarms, the illustrative embodiment requires that at least N of M neighboring stations report an alarm for the same hazardous material within an interval of time, and that the values of at least one of N and M change and are based on at least one environmental factor.

Abstract: A marine vessel that possesses a capability for greater speed than most static-lift craft and is more stable than most dynamic-lift craft is disclosed. The vessel incorporates elements from both SWATH craft and WIG craft. In the illustrative embodiment, the marine vessel includes an upper hull that is disposed above the water line, a dynamic-lift-providing element that is disposed above the water line, a propulsion system that is disposed above the water line, a static-lift-providing element that is disposed below the water line, a propulsion system that is disposed below the water line; and struts that couple the static-lift-providing element to the upper hull and that raise the upper hull some distance above the water line.

Abstract: A system for spectral analysis of a multi-wavelength signal is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention, like the prior art, uses a grating or prism to disperse the spectral components of a multi-wavelength signal, and then uses a reciprocating or rotating mirror to direct the spectral components, one at a time, into a photodetector. The illustrative embodiment uses a telescope between the grating and the mirror to improve the spectral resolution of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting against a buffer over flow attack. In one variation, an executable software program is divided into an executable image, a data image, and an execution history image. The operating system processes an executable statement in the executable image. Other statements are processed in the data image. In a second variation, the execution history image is made use of in addition to the tasks of the first variation. Each statement is classified as either mutable or immutable. The usage of statements is recorded in the execution history image. If a mutable statement has over-written an immutable statement memory location, then the program is terminated. Optionally, the entire program is re-mapped using the execution history image such that immutable statements cannot over-write mutable statements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screwless connection terminal having a contact part having a connection section to which a conductor can be electrically connected, a clamping spring, a metallic frame which surrounds the clamping spring and is designed to be inserted into insulating housing means of an electrical apparatus, and an actuating element for the clamping spring, the frame also at least partially accommodating the connection section, and the clamping spring in accordance with one embodiment having a leg for the purpose of moving the frame in relation to and transverse to the connection section in order to clamp the conductor to be connected between the frame and the connection section, a blocking device in a blocking position holding the frame in a position in which the clamping spring is prestressed, and the actuating element being in the form of a release device, which is capable of releasing the blocking position for the frame in order to bring the leg into action.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for introducing light into a waveguide, which device comprises: a light source, preferably an electro-optical converter, more preferably a VCSEL, for generating a light beam; a reflector for receiving at least a part of the light beam and for reflecting at least a part of the received part, wherein the waveguide and the material layer lie substantially mutually in line and both rest at least partially on a substantially flat substrate, wherein the light source and the reflector are positioned relative to the waveguide such that at least a part of the reflected part is introduced into the waveguide. The invention also relates to a device for emitting light from a waveguide. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such devices.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an optical device and micromechanical device, wherein both devices are monolithically-integrated with a substrate. The optical surfaces and micromechanical devices are each formed in an etch step that is well-suited for forming that device. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention enable the optical surface and micromechanical device to be fabricated irrespective of severe topography on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the location of a wireless terminal are disclosed. The location of the wireless terminal is estimated based on one or more signal strength measurements in conjunction with: (i) one or more angle-of-arrival measurements, (ii) one or more time-of-arrival measurements, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii). At each measurement time, the illustrative embodiment (a) determines the candidate locations for the wireless terminal, (b) computes a measurement likelihood function for any signal strength measurements that are available at that time, (c) computes a measurement likelihood function for any geometry-of-arrival measurements that are available at that time, (d) computes a joint likelihood function for all measurements available at that time, and (e) updates the location probability distribution for the wireless terminal with the joint measurement likelihood function. Estimates of the location of the wireless terminal are obtained from the location probability distribution.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is disclosed that is capable of improving the power supply rejection ratio of a standard bandgap reference while maintaining the temperature coefficient of the standard design. One embodiment of the circuit comprises a bandgap reference voltage generator, an operational amplifier, a transistor, a voltage divider, a startup network, and a self-biasing network that provide a voltage reference with improved characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a physical quantity measuring method using a Brillouin optical fiber sensor. An optical fiber is set on a structure and a pair of pulse lights having different pulse widths is selected. The pulse lights are sequentially transmitted through the optical fiber to obtain back scattering lights and Brillouin gain spectra. The Brillouin gain spectra are compared to each other to calculate a normalized spectrum and a Brillouin frequency is acquired based on the normalized spectrum. The Brillouin frequency is multiplied by a conversion factor of a corresponding physical quantity of the structure to obtain the physical quantity. Accordingly, a portion of the optical fiber from which a sensing signal can be acquired is shortened to improve spatial resolution.

Abstract: A distributed caching technique for use in computer networks is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment is particularly advantageous in computer networks that comprises a hierarchical topology because it removes some of the computational tasks associated with caching away from the network nodes that act as caches to other network nodes that are less burdened with computational tasks. Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention use hash tables to facilitate the storage and retrieval of cached resources.

Abstract: A UAV capture system is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the UAV capture system is coupled to the deck of a sea-faring vessel. The UAV capture system includes a single arresting line that is supported by a stanchion. In the illustrative embodiment, the stanchion is disposed on a rotatable boom.