Abstract: A valve assembly having a cap defining a first and second fluid flow passage for allowing the flow of fluid is attached to a seat member which is coupled to an actuator. A plunger having an adjustably attached diaphragm is maintained within the seat member and the actuator, and the plunger positions the diaphragm over the first and second fluid flow passage. The actuator controls the plunger and determines the retraction of the plunger to allow fluid flow and the insertion of the plunger to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A ski boot, in particular a telemark boot, having a shell made of plastic material and in turn having a bottom wall, two lateral walls, a toe portion, and a flexible portion extending crosswise with respect to the shell, from one side to the other of the bottom wall at the metatarsus; and a frame embedded in the shell and having, integrally, two longitudinal elements extending along respective lateral walls from a rear portion of the shell to an intermediate portion of the bottom wall adjacent to respective lateral ends of the flexible portion, and a transverse structure connected integrally to respective front ends of the longitudinal elements and defined by a flat bottom portion embedded in the bottom wall, and by a top portion extending along the connecting portion between the toe portion and the flexible portion.

Abstract: Systems are provided for converting high definition pictures or data to lower definition images using wavelet transforms. In the preferred embodiments, the wavelet transforms are be used in either the transmission/coding or reception/decoding phase for enabling a more efficient conversion of the signal and providing a more robust and accurate output. The wavelet transforms may be applied to conventional systems to enhance performance or entire transmission and reception systems may be designed where the wavelet transforms are applied to the data for coding, decoding and decimation operations.

Abstract: A system for recording television programs for subsequent viewing by a user includes a preference determination module which is responsive to attribute information associated with television programs viewed by the user. The preference determination module categorizes the attribute information in accordance with categorization parameters to generate recordation preference information, indicative of television program viewing preferences of the user. The system also includes a recordation module which is responsive to the recordation preference information, for causing recordation on a storage medium of subsequently transmitted television programs, having attribute information corresponding to the recordation preference information.

Abstract: A method and system for commanding and controlling diverse home devices is provided. A first home device capable of displaying user interface data is connected to a home network. A second home device stores user interface data that defines a user interface for commanding and controlling the second home device, also connected to the home network. The first device receives the user interface data from the second device over the network. The first device then displays the user interface as defined by the data. The user interacts with the user interface displayed on the first device by a control device. User input is accepted from the user responsive to the interaction. Control and command information is sent from the first home device to the second home device in order to control the second device according to the user input.

Abstract: A machine for bending pipes (2; 63; 78) sections or similar of a given section (S1; S2; S3) has a guide device (6) having a longitudinal axis (9) for guiding the pipes (2; 63; 78) in a feed direction (D1) parallel to the axis (9); and a bending member (7) movable with respect to the guide device (6) in a plane (P1) perpendicular to the feed direction (D1), and having an annular guide (50), which has a passage section (45; 61; 76) for the pipes (2; 63; 78) substantially equal to the section (S1; S2; S3) of the pipes (2; 63; 78) and is defined by rollers (40; 52; 82; 67) rotating about respective axes (41; 53; 83; 68) lying in a plane coplanar with the passage section (45; 61; 76).

Abstract: A machine for bending sections (2) having a longitudinal axis (3) and a constant cross section along the longitudinal axis (3) feeds the sections (2) longitudinally in a first direction (D1), and has a first and a second annular die (11, 12); an ass (15) connected to the second annular die (12) and movable in a plane perpendicular to the first direction (D1) to move the second annular die (12) into a number of operating positions with respect to the first annular die (11) to bend the sections (2); and a joint (22; 39) connecting the first and the second annular die (11, 12), and which forces the second annular die (12) to assume a given position with respect to the first annular die (11) for each position assumed by the assembly (15).

Abstract: In combination with a jack having a head, a removable adapter assembly includes an adapter frame and three-degree-of-movement adapter arms. The adapter frame has threaded holes and a connector for releasably attaching the frame to the head of the jack. The adapter is preferably rectangular. The three-degree-of-movement adapter arms are rotatably inserted into a respective one of the threaded holes for raising and lowering each of the arms with respect to the frame. The arms each have a threaded portion with a top end, a horizontal head portion having a closed slot, and a cushioned receiver. The head portion is fixedly attached to the top end of the threaded portion and the cushioned receiver is rotatably and slidably mounted in the slot.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having a compact magnet system that produces an increased magnetic flux. A seat has an outer wall that retains an magnet therein such that a channel is defined therebetween. A plate is positioned on top of the first magnet such that an air gap is created between the plate and the wall. A second magnet is positioned over the plate and an aperture is created axially through the second magnet, the plate, and the first magnet. A yoke having a planar region and a protruding region extending therefrom is position over the second magnet such that the protruding region extends through the aperture and connects with the seat. A voice coil is connected to a diaphragm and is moveably suspended within the gap. Application of an electric current to the voice coils causes movement of the diaphragm due to the magnetic flux created within the gap and thereby produces sound waves.

Abstract: A set-top electronics and network interface unit arrangement is connected to an internal digital network interconnecting devices in the home. The digital network operates on a single, nomodulated, baseband channel. Entertainment services are introduced into the network through network interface units that are coupled to an external network and to the internal network. The network interface units perform the necessary interfacing between the external and internal networks, and make the entertainment services available to all terminals connected to the internal network. Set-top electronics that are separate from the network interface units connect to the internal network and convert the information in the digital data stream for display, by a television, for example.