Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for decoding a wireless signal from a set of samples with an embedded training sequence. The method includes the steps of determining a first frequency offset from the samples where the first frequency offset is assumed to be less than a Nyquist frequency of the training sequence and calculating a first carrier to interference ratio based upon the first frequency offset. The method further includes the steps of determining a second frequency offset from the samples by subtracting an absolute value of the first frequency offset from an integer multiple of the Nyquist frequency and giving the second frequency offset a sign opposite that of the first frequency offset, calculating a second carrier to interference ratio based upon the second frequency offset and selecting one of the first and second frequency offsets based upon a relative values of the calculated carrier to interference ratios.

Abstract: A mineral acid detection tape includes a cellulose paper substrate saturated with a formula solution and provides an extended life detection tape of at least a three-month period of time when place in service.

Abstract: A method to stereospecifically prepare a steroidal sapogenin or a derivative thereof by reducing a 3-keto,5?-H steroidal sapogenin with a hindered organoborane or an organo-aluminium hydride. A 3?-hydroxy,5?-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof may be prepared by reducing the 3-keto,5?-H steroidal sapogenin using as reducing agent a relatively highly hindered organoborane reagent or by SN 2 inversion of a 3?-hydroxy,5?-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof. The organo-aluminium hydride may be used to prepare a 3?,5?-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof. The invention provides a convenient route to useful steroidal sapogenins such as sarsasapogenin, episarsasapogenin, smilagenin, epismilagenin and esters thereof, from readily available or easily preparable starting materials (e.g. diosgenone, preparable from diosgenin).

Abstract: A device for dispensing products senses when the respective products are accessed. A signal indicative of day and time of access can be transmitted to a remote monitoring station. Received signals can be compared to a pre-established schedule.

Abstract: Submerged media useful with or without aeration and/or mixing to enhance an aquatic environment by promoting and retaining biogrowth. The media takes the form of a cluster of individual flexible elements having free ends. The media are submerged in a liquid such as a water or wastewater treatment basin or an aquaculture environment. The media are characterized by the ability to promote and retain microbial growth. The media clusters have substantial flow through thicknesses to provide a three dimensional effect along with baffling for increased contact with the liquid being treated. The media may be thin strips constructed to avoid sticking together to allow maximum exposed surface area. The media clusters can create oxic, anoxic and anaerobic environments for maximum treatment during flow through the media cluster. The flexibility of the media elements and their free ends automatically dislodges excessive biomass buildup to avoid clogging of the media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading ballast along railways makes use of an inertial measurement system to determine where to apply ballast from a hopper car. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the location and speed of the ballast spreading train, including manual or automated visual techniques, laser technology, radar technology, radio frequency transponders, magnetic sensor, thermal imaging and aerial photogrammetry. The invention also contemplates “on the fly” surveys and terrain profiling using lasers or radar.

Abstract: An alarm system is disclosed for detecting and signaling that a human or an animal is in an enclosed space such as a motor vehicle which includes a monitoring device for monitoring temperature in an enclosed space. The monitoring device may specify a minimum and/or maximum temperature, or a range of temperatures in the enclosed space. A detection device detects the presence of a human or animal in the enclosed space when an unacceptable temperature is reached. In the system disclosed, the human or animal is unable to exit the enclosed space, and a signaling device is used to communicate a signal to a receiver outside the enclosed space indicating the presence of the human or the animal in the enclosed space.

Abstract: A cell phone based test capability enables a tester to audibly communicate with a fire alarm control unit. A detector can be selected and tested. Test results can be audibly communicated to the tester via the cell phone. The tester can initiate the next test via the cell phone.

Abstract: A rail unloading vehicle is self-propelled and able to travel either over-the-road on conventional roadway tires or along railway tracks on railway wheels. Threading mechanisms for unloading the rails are arranged to retract so they provide a narrow profile for transport over the road. The threading mechanisms have thread boxes with jaws that open to accommodate easy reception of rails, and close to apply rollers to the rails for unloading operations. A special rail clamp has a pair of oppositely pivoting dogs to allow rail manipulation in opposite directions without slippage. A special saw allows safe on-site cutting of rails.

Abstract: Disclosed are a periodic payment system for service use fees and a control method thereof, and a service provider of the payment system and a control method thereof. The periodic payment system receiving information on credit of a subscriber from a payment information provider includes a payment acknowledgement server for determining whether or not a demanded payment is acknowledged based on the credit information of the subscriber provided by the payment information provider, and providing payment demand information to the payment information provider if it is determined that the demanded payment is acknowledged.

Abstract: A method and system of rendering buildings in three-dimensional space first renders a respective floor, then adds objects and finally walls to bound each of the floors. The result, a three-dimensional rendering of a building, has translucent walls and illustrates the position of objects within the building in addition to presenting the overall shape of the building. The building can be rotated or enlarged to clarify the position of the various objects in space.

Abstract: A duct detector includes sampling tubes which slidably engage the detector with a fixed orientation to facilitate fluid flow. The tubes have a connector portion and a conduit portion. The connector portion and the conduit portion engage one another with a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A method including providing a first umbilical, coupling an end of the first umbilical to a first end of a compliant splice system, providing a second umbilical, and coupling an end to the second umbilical to a second end of the compliant splice system.

Abstract: A measurement system and method combine an audio announcement system with a plurality of spaced apart sensors to evaluate intelligibility of audio output from loudspeakers of the audio announcement system. Processing can take place at some or all of the sensors as well as at a common control element. Evaluations can be based on use of an appropriate speech intelligibility index method.

Abstract: A method of making a roofing product such as a shingle is provided. One such method includes creating a mixture having at least a polymer and a filler, forming a sheet from the mixture, cooling the sheet, embossing the sheet, forming multiple roofing products from the sheet and bundling at least some of the roofing products together. This method is performed using an automated procedure. Another method of the present invention involves creating a composite roofing product using mold cavities, using a robot to transfer some of the roofing products from some of the mold cavities to a conveying system, and stacking together at least two of the roofing products that have different colors of different surface configurations.

Abstract: A tamper evident container lid is provided that includes a lid body configured to cover the opening of a base container having a top rim. The lid body has a skirt extending therefrom. The skirt has an annular score line and an annular fold line extending therearound. An outer band of the skirt extends between the score line and the fold line, and an inner band is folded inwardly to be in opposing relation to the outer band and extends upwardly from the fold line to an upper free edge. When the container lid is sufficiently applied to the base container such that the free edge slides downwardly past a top rim of the container, achieving a proper closure, an attempt to remove the lid will cause a plurality of sections of the inner band to engage the top rim and impede removal of the lid from the base container.

Abstract: A method of assigning a weight value to an online news article, and a system for executing the method are provided. A method of assigning a weight value to an online news article, includes the steps of: receiving an article content from an article providing system of an article generator, and storing the received article content in an article collection database; creating an editorial weight value of the article content via an automatic weight assigning system, the automatic weight assigning system comprising a plurality of weight value lists; and storing the editorial weight value and the article content in a news database.

Abstract: An air mattress includes an inflatable compartment having a length and width, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body; an internal, generally horizontal wall located between the top and bottom of the compartment and connected to and horizontally restraining the sides of the compartment; at least one internal, generally vertical member connected to and restraining the relative vertical movement of the top and bottom of the compartment; and wherein one of the internal, generally vertical member and the internal, generally horizontal wall possesses an opening that permits at least a portion of the other structure to pass therethrough without interruption.