Abstract: A spectrometer has a multi-input aperture for admitting an input wavefront and an array of multiple waveguide structures terminating at the multi-input aperture. The input wavefront is incident on each of the waveguide structures, which provide a dispersive function for the input wavefront. Interferometers are formed by elements of the waveguide structures. The interferometers have different optical path length differences (OPDs). The interferometers provide a wavelength responsive output for spatially extended light sources. The output of the interferometers is detected with a detector array. The spectrometer has an improved etendue, and in some embodiments very high resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment includes a voltage doubler circuit including a pair of diodes, a pair of direct current switching elements connected between the respective diodes and a common point, a controller, an interface connected to the controller for receiving external status signals, and a switching arrangement responsive to signals from the controller to select the full power mode or a controlled power mode. In the controlled power mode, the switching elements are switched in a predetermined sequence such that only one of the switching elements conducts current during any one half cycle of the AC output voltage applied to the motor.

Abstract: A method of detecting double talk condition in hands free communication devices is disclosed. In general, the method in accordance with the teachings of this invention detects double talk conditions based on inherent frequency response differences between the transducers used and acoustical effect on the spectrum of the returned echo signal. An input signal from a far-end talker and an input signal from the output from an echo canceler are received by the detector. K spectral subbands are created for each input signal. From this K subbands q subbands are selected based on inherent frequency differences between the far-end transducer and a near-end transducer. The spectral echo residual power is estimated at each subband. The estimated spectral echo power and the output signal from the echo canceler for a selected subband are compared to a predetermined threshold. Based on this comparison, it is determined whether double talk conditions exist based on the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing clicking sounds in an audio data stream. The samples of the audio data are delayed by a predetermined amount in a sliding window containing a predetermined number of samples. The presence of a clicking sound in the delayed data within said sliding window is detected and the corresponding audio data replaced by substitute data derived from the audio data stream.

Abstract: An orthogonal linear frequency modulation (OLFM) communications system has an OFDM transmitter and receiver communcating data on a series of multiplexed sub-carriers over a communications medium. A linear frequency modulator provided at the transmitter subjects the sub-carriers to linear frequency modulation to produce a series of sub-sweeps for transmission over the communications medium. A linear frequency demodulator at the receiver produces the sub-carriers from the received sub-sweeps for subsequent demodulation to recover the data.

Abstract: A method is provided for keeping presentation of information to a minimum. A perspective comprises areas, and each area can have one or more portlets which display information. Each area has an associated list of portlet types that can be instantiated within the area. Each portlet can be manually placed into or out of a locked state. Various portlets can also be in a dirty state if they contain unsaved information, such as in a partially completed form. When a new portlet is to be added to the perspective, first an area which supports creation of that type of portlet is selected. The existing portlets within that area are then examined, and if one exists which is not locked and is not dirty, then it is replaced with the new portlet. If no such existing portlet is eligible for replacement, then the new portlet is created and added to the existing portlets.

Abstract: An interactive educational apparatus, ideally suitable for children. A set of symbol pieces, preferably in the form of letter blocks are provided. An interface board is provided for accommodating one or more selected symbol pieces and a sensor on said interface board generates a signal identifying each symbol piece when placed on the interface board. Media files are stored on a storage medium and each media file has an associated tag. A processor is programmed to match a search key represented by one or more selected symbol pieces with the tags. A display device displays one or more media files having identifier tags matching the search key represented by said selected symbol pieces. These identifier tags provide a way to match up the media files with each search key generated by placement of the symbol pieces on the interface board.

Abstract: A method of recovering timing information in a packet network, involves detecting quiet periods in the packet network when network packet delay variation (PDV) is low. A frequency prediction unit is trained during the quiet periods to learn output clock variations of a timing recovery unit to permit the frequency prediction unit to predict frequency update values for a local oscillator during non quiet periods taking into account the historical output clock variations during quiet periods. The output of the frequency prediction unit is used as the active frequency update values during non quiet periods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a base assembly useful in permitting a floating campfire, comprising a base shaped to float in open water, the base having an airtight pontoon portion at its periphery; and a floor defining an opening therethrough to accommodate a fire bowl to house the campfire; wherein the base assembly is constructed to counteract the weight of the campfire in use such that the base assembly floats in open water. The base assembly is preferably square in shape. The floor is preferably made of aluminum checker plate and TIG welded in a stitch pattern to the centre.

Abstract: An active stream is selected from one of a plurality of audio streams generated in a common acoustic environment by obtaining, for each stream obtaining, at a series of measurement instants tn, where n=1 . . . N, a final performance metric that is representative of the stream's goodness for representing near-end speech at each measurement instant tn. The final performance metrics for each stream are accumulated to determine an overall performance score. A switch to a new stream as the active stream occurs when the stream with the best overall performance score exceeds the overall performance score of the currently active stream by a threshold amount.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for management of access security for access by a multimodal device to a converged fixed/mobile network. An inter-technology change-off monitoring entity (ICME) is provided to monitor an inter-technology change-off of the multimodal device and to notify a policy manager of the inter-technology change-off. The policy manager looks up in a policy database, security policies applicable to the user of the multimodal device and the particular technology being used by the multimodal device. The policy manager conveys to various policy enforcement points throughout the converged fixed/mobile network the applicable security policies which take into account the user's identity and the access technology being used.

Abstract: A high hat cymbal has a magnetic clutch that engages the top cymbal and allows it to be controlled by a standard high hat foot pedal. When the drummer's foot is removed from the high hat foot pedal, the magnetic clutch strikes a mechanical arm, which causes the magnetic clutch to disengage without any action, required on the part of the drummer. The top cymbal can be re-engaged by the magnetic clutch so that the high hat foot pedal can now be operated again, simply by depressing the high hat foot pedal. A trip bar may be provided to provide for automatic disengagement of the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: In method of providing assured message delivery across a distributed message delivery system with low delivery latency and network traffic, a set of destinations is first identified for a set of destinations for a message received at an ingress router to the network. The received message is stored in persistent storage along with meta-data about each destination for the message before the message is routed to each identified destination. The message is only removed from persistent storage when an acknowledgement has been received from each destination indicating that the message has been successfully received.

Abstract: Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), an and an Organic Photovoltaic Cell (OPC) including as active material a conjugated oligomeric or polymeric 2,7-carbazolenevinylene derivative described by the formula (I) or (II): Such OFETs, OLEDs and OPCs have improved devices properties and efficiencies.

Abstract: An automatic gain control unit controls the gain applied to an input signal produced by a microphone subject to ambient noise. The automatic gain control circuit continually monitors the signal level of said input signal. A first gain control circuit decreases the gain applied to the input signal in increments of a first size when the input signal exceeds a first predetermined level. A second gain control circuit increases the gain applied to said input signal in increments of a smaller size when the input signal falls below a second predetermined level and in response to the presence of a speech present signal. The second predetermined level is less than said first predetermined level. In one embodiment, the first gain control circuit controls the analog gain of a codec and the second gain control circuit controls the digital gain of the codec.

Abstract: A glazing unit has a at least one self-supporting insert of light-transmissive insulation material in the form of honeycomb arrangement of cells sandwiched in a gap between a pair of glass lites. A granular, light-transmissive, thermally insulating filler, such as silica aerogel, substantially fills the cells.

Abstract: A networking appliance includes a chassis, an off-the-shelf motherboard mounted on said chassis, said motherboard including at least one expansion bus, one or more separately removable expansion module mounted on said chassis, and a number of card slots in the expansion module for accommodating expansion cards. A connection arrangement provides a signal connection between the card slots in the expansion modules and the expansion buses.

Abstract: A digital FM transmitter has a digital controlled oscillator for generating a modulated RF carrier. A digital signal processor receives digital input samples and generates a modulating signal for input to the digital controlled oscillator. A bandpass filter for filters frequency components of the modulated carrier outside a predetermined frequency band and supplies the filtered modulated RF carrier to an antenna.

Abstract: Timing information is transmitted over a network by sending time-stamped packets between a transmitter and receiver. The time-stamped packets are used to compute an estimate of the frequency deviation between the transmitter clock and the receiver clock. The local receiver clock is periodically updated to match the transmitter clock based on the estimate, which is preferably a least squares estimate. A multiple window approach is employed to increase update speed.