Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing iron ore pellets containing hematite is described. The pellets containing magnetite are exposed to microwave energy in a heat treatment furnace under oxidizing conditions to convert magnetite to hematite.

Abstract: Natural language interface to a back-end application, incorporating synonyms, suggestions, and proposals. Roughly described, synonyms are automatically added to user input to enhance the natural language interpretation, whereas suggestions and proposals are offered to the user in an interaction, usually after an interpretation of prior user input. Suggestions and synonyms can be learned from user input, whereas proposals are programmed by a third party. The selection of synonyms, suggestions, and proposals for use with particular user input can be user input context-based so that further user input can maintain context by explicitly indicating that the same context is intended, and rewards-based reinforcement can be used to better focus suggestions and proposals on the characteristics of the particular user.

Abstract: System and methods for providing multimedia message service (MMS) interoperability between an initiating carrier and a destination carrier. A transcoding facility receives an MMS message from an initiating carrier and accesses a number portability database to determine an identity of a destination carrier to which the MMS message is intended to be sent and a carrier profile repository to obtain a carrier profile for the destination carrier, the carrier profile including information regarding an MMS format acceptable to the destination carrier.

Abstract: A space-time signal processing system with advantageously reduced complexity. The system may take advantage of multiple transmitter antenna elements and/or multiple receiver antenna elements, or multiple polarizations of a single transmitter antenna element and/or single receiver antenna element. The system is not restricted to wireless contexts and may exploit any channel having multiple inputs or multiple outputs and certain other characteristics. Multi-path effects in a transmission medium cause a multiplicative increase in capacity.

Abstract: A filter according to a present invention embodiment reduces the effects of microphonic behavior in a communications network. The filter passes a network signal, while filtering out unwanted voiceband leakage (e.g., emissions of plaintext voice signals) due to microphonic behavior of the network equipment. The filter employs inductive units each including at least two inductive elements connected in series and arranged to cancel current within the inductive elements induced by vibrations and/or sound pressure (or acoustic) waves in the surrounding environment, thereby reducing extraneous signals produced within the filter (e.g., signals produced from microphonic behavior that may be in the form of perceivable voice or audio, noise, etc.). The filter reduces the extraneous signals in active and passive modes, and prevents compromise of secure or sensitive information (e.g., in the form of perceivable voice or audio) due to microphonic behavior of filter elements.

Abstract: A trellis processing technique for estimating a transmitted signal from a received signal acquired through a channel achieves a reduced computational structure when implementing a DDFSE-like branch metrics calculation by pre-storing computed values, which can be re-used. The technique involves storing differences between a received symbol and different products, each of which is a product of a channel coefficient corresponding to a least time delay and a different possible transmitted symbol. A summation of products is calculated, each product being a product of a possible transmitted signal symbol and a channel coefficient other than the channel coefficient corresponding to the least time delay, the summation being specific to a branch-start state in a trellis. The summation is combined with different stored differences in a calculation of branch metrics leading to different branch-end states in the trellis.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating downlink beamforming weighting vectors by using channel information about one or more uplink sub-channels in a wireless communications network in the case of frequency mismatch between downlink channels and uplink channels for a specific user.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for receiving data includes an input receiver circuit that is supplied with a data signal and a reference signal. The input receiver circuit converts the data signal into differential input control signals that are supplied to first and second signal paths. The first and second signal paths being connected in parallel. The first signal path includes a first comparator circuit that is connected, via a delay circuit and an amplifier circuit, to an output connection of the integrated circuit. The second signal path includes a second comparator circuit that is likewise connected, via a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit, to the output connection of the integrated circuit. The two amplifier circuits act as edge discriminators that drive each other and make it possible to generate, at the output connection, an output signal with the same duty cycle as the data signal without distortion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plastic housing and a semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chip includes an active top side and a rear side. An interposer is arranged on the active top side of the semiconductor chip. At least a portion of the interposer is embedded into the plastic housing, while the top side of the interposer forms the top side of the semiconductor device. A top side fitting shape is arranged on the top side of the interposer, where the top side fitting shape has a predetermined radius of curvature that is free of plastic housing composition, and the top side fitting shape has a convex or concave lens-shaped sphere segment shape.

Abstract: To provide a pressure muscle strength increasing apparatus that allows accurate adjustment of the degree of blood flow restriction when a pressure muscle strength increasing method is carried out. The pressure muscle strength increasing apparatus is comprised of a tight fitting device 100, a pressure setting segment 200, quantification segments 300, and a control segment 400. The tight fitting device 100 is wrapped around a predetermined range on a limb. The tight fitting device 100 has an air-tight gas bag. The compression force applied to the limb can be varied by supplying the air to and removing the air from the gas bag. The pressure setting segment 200 controls the supply and removal of the air into and from the gas bag. The quantification segment 300 is intended to be rest on the limb which the tight fitting device 100 is wrapped around on the distal side thereof to quantify a quantification target that varies depending on the increase and decrease of the compression force.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming first structures in a first portion of the integrated circuit and forming second structures, which are arranged more densely than the first structures, in a second portion. The first and second structures are defined by lithography processes using photomasks. At least one of the photomasks includes both openings in a first region for supporting the definition of the first structures and openings in a second region for supporting the definition of the second structures.

Abstract: A cleat for a shoe has an annular array of different types of angularly spaced traction elements disposed about and depending from a hub periphery. The array includes plural types of flexible traction elements and plural types inflexible traction elements interleaved within the array. The dynamic elements are longer than the static elements and are of two different lengths. The static elements have two different configurations. The flexible elements are sufficiently close to adjacent inflexible elements to permit grass to be trapped therebetween when the flexible elements are flexed.

Abstract: A system for routing fiber optic cable includes a hinged housing, a cable storage device connected to a first portion of the housing, and a cable guide. The cable guide includes a flexible strap having a first end connected to the cable storage device and an opposite second end coupled to a second portion of the housing. The cable guide includes a first sidewall extending upwardly from a first side of the flexible strap and a second sidewall extending upwardly from an opposite second side of the flexible strap. The cable guide defines a channel configured for receiving a cable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a processing device is coupled between at least one content source and at least one subscriber device within an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system in order to receive a plurality of service flows from the at least one content source and to process multicast service flow requests from the at least one subscriber device. The processing device includes a map module to map a service flow from a content source to a multicast service flow based on a multicast service flow request from a particular subscriber device and a unicast module to assign a unique identifier to the mapped multicast service flow to convert the mapped multicast service flow to a unicast delivery of the mapped multicast service flow to the particular subscriber device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming nonwoven melt spun webs by spinning a curtain of filaments into a pressurized chamber where they are contacted with pressurized quenching fluid, then using the fluid to draw the filaments through a slot at the bottom of the chamber. The slot is a narrow two dimensional impingement point running the length of the filament curtain where the pressurized quench fluid passes through, escaping to atmosphere. The fluid pressure (potential) energy in the chamber is exchanged for velocity (kinetic) energy at the slot impingement point. The fast moving stream of fluid inside and exiting the slot acts to pull, or draw the filaments through the slot. The fluid and fiber stream is deposited onto a porous collection conveyor belt, forming a fleece web. The invention is more efficient, less complicated, easier to maintain and easier to control than prior systems for melt spinning nonwoven webs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assigning a short codes to provide uniformity among wireless carriers. In the systems and methods, a Universal Short Code (USC) Administrator maintains a list of short codes and their lease status so that SMS messages sent to a particular short code may be routed to the proper holder of the short code. A network facilitator is in communication with both the USC Administrator and at least one wireless carrier to route the SMS message to the proper holder of the short code. The short code may be leased for a specified period of time so that the short code can be reassigned after expiration of the lease.

Abstract: A technique is provided for rapid channel change (RCC) processing in a programming distribution network. The RCC process herein is configured to transmit unicast stream of packets (“RCC burst”) during a “fast-fill” interval for up to a full duration of the multicast join window, or until it is stopped by a an explicit message sent from the user terminal. The unicast stream of packets is transmitted at a full rate of an access link (i.e., the bottleneck link) on a path to the user terminal beyond an earliest time when the user terminal could join a multicast stream of packets for a new channel requested by the user terminal.

Abstract: An algorithm is provided that computes values for correcting for DC offsets of baseband I and Q signals, compensates for amplitude imbalance between the baseband I and Q signals and compensates for phase imbalance between the baseband I and Q signals. Test signals are injected into the I and Q signal processing paths (either or both of the receiver path and baseband path in a modem). Samples of the I and Q signals produced in the I and Q signal processing paths are generated and analyzed to determine DC offsets of the I and Q signals, amplitude imbalance between the I and Q signals and phase imbalance with respect to a desired orthogonal relationship between the I and Q signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing time of day (TOD) information between radio nodes of a network and for detecting and merging otherwise isolated radio networks. In this manner individual isolated networks are able start when they are ready and once connectivity is detected with another network, the two networks can merge. Radio nodes within each network periodically send out TOD messages and periodically receive TOD messages issued by other nodes look to identify networks within communication range. Upon detecting another network a radio node informs a central control node that uses network detection information received from its members to determine the extent of the connectivity between the two networks and whether to merge the two networks. Network searching is optimized to limit impact on the overall network performance, resulting in little or no degradation in network performance.