Abstract: A joint synchronizer and decoder that implements two decision aided processes, which are referred to as “decision aided candidate selection” and “decision aided synchronization and decoding.” Decision aided candidate selection may be used to select a carrier frequency offset by selecting among a number of candidates for this parameter based on an indication of decoding success. Decision aided synchronization and decoding may be used for phase tracking based on an indication of decoding success. Although these joint synchronizing and decoding techniques may be implemented together, they may also be implemented independently. The joint synchronizer and decoder may be implemented within a return channel receiver in a DVB-RCS system using turbo coding and quadrature phase shift key (QPSK) data modulation.

Abstract: A demountable shelving unit with welded crossbar supports, open-channel upright supports, and channel support features. The welded crossbar supports and diagonal supports are slidably received within open-channel upright supports. Upper and lower crossbar supports include upright insertion blocks that are captured within the upright supports and horizontal connectors that extend through slots in the upright supports to connect two upright supports together to form an end unit. Shelf units are connected between two end units to create an assembled shelf. For a typical shelving unit, only eight bolts are needed to assemble each end unit and the shelf units attach to the end units with rivet-type quick disconnect fasteners that fit within teardrop shaped sockets in the upright supports. This results in a demountable shelf that can be assembled quickly and easily with only sixteen bolts per shelving unit.

Abstract: A system for providing text messages in response to telephone initiated service requests that includes a multi-function code, such as “*#” (star, pound), followed by an item code associated with a particular text message. Different item codes correspond to different text messages. The telecommunications switch recognizes the multi-function code as a trigger and responds by sending a data message containing the item code and identification information pertaining to the initiating telephone device to a data fulfillment center, which responds to the data message by sending the text message associated with the item code to the initiating telephone device over a wireless data network. The data fulfillment center may also send an Internet link to the initiating telephone device. A charge for this service may be automatically charged to an account associated with the originating telecommunications device.

Abstract: A medical, post surgery fluid drainage system, such as for use by a mastectomy patient, that allows the wearer/patient to discretely and safely secure and wear the system under clothing. The system includes a mesh fabric pouch having front and rear walls secured together along a bottom edge and along the sides with an open top edge. Inside the pouch are plural fluid receiving bulbs or receptacles. Connected to the bulbs are a like plurality of drain lines or tubes to allow drainage of fluid from plural chest incisions to the bulbs. Further, attachment mechanisms are included to removably secure the pouch to the body of the wearer/patient.

Abstract: A magnetic interrupter consisting of a stationary and moving butt contacts that open an electric circuit in dielectric gas (e.g., SF6) contained in a sealed, pressurized insulating housing. One or both of the contacts contain a magnet with poles spaced apart in a radial plane perpendicular to the axial direction to spin the arc in the radial plane about the center of the contacts. Permanent magnets may be used to spin the arc so that the magnetic field is not affected by the magnitude of the arcing current, which makes the magnetic interrupter suitable for interrupting currents below fault level currents. One or both of the magnets may also be a field coil and a permanent magnet may be used in combination with a field coil.

Abstract: A modular canopy having standardized side panels, trusses and tracks. The modular canopy includes parallel opposing sidewalls formed from multiple standardized side panels. Each sidewall extends from a front mounting structure to a rear mounting structure and carries a track that typically extends the almost entire length of the sidewall for supporting the carriage of the sootblower within the canopy. Trusses connect adjacent side panels together and extend from one sidewall to the other over the top of the sidewalls. The modular canopy may also include standardized removable or permanently attached covers. The canopy is typically assembled with permanent fasteners, such as lockbolts, that cannot be removed without destroying the fasteners. A sootblower canopy of any desired length can therefore be manufactured or repaired from a common set of component parts with one of the sections, typically an end section, cut to the desired length as needed.

Abstract: A barrel type cooler having an open top cylindrical icing chamber an open bottom cylindrical lid slidably that fits over the icing chamber. The icing chamber includes hooks and the lid includes slots, each slot configured to receive a hook and having an open bottom allowing the lid to be removed from engagement with the icing chamber. Each slot has a length sufficient to allow the lid to slide over the icing chamber to a closed position. In addition, each slot includes a side channel configured to engage a corresponding hook to support the lid in a raised position. The side of the top has ingress openings allowing a user to reach through the side of the lid and into the icing chamber when the lid is supported by the icing chamber in the raised position.

Abstract: A system for providing a wide range of telecommunications initiated data fulfillment services in which a multi-function code, such as “*#” (star, pound), input into an originating telecommunications device, such as a conventional land-line or wireless telephone, triggers the treatment of the input sequence as a multi-function code service request rather than a dialed directory number. The multi-function code is followed by an input data string to complete the multi-function code service request, which the user typically enters into the telecommunications device just like a conventional telephone call, except that the input string begins with the multi-function code.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising an RFID component which can act in an active mode and a passive mode. Preferably the electronic device is a PCB and the RFID component is at least partially located in the PCB. More preferably, the RFID component is located within the PCB. An electronic device comprising an embedded active component is disclosed. A method of exchanging information within an electronic device is disclosed comprising the steps in providing an electronic device which contains an RFID component which connect in a active and a passive mode, and a remote RFID device, and exchanging information between the RFID component and the remote RFID device.

Abstract: A zipper-type wound closer attachable to the skin around a skin opening and zipped closed to pull the skin opening closed. The wound closer includes two elongated connecting strips whose feet are pre-coated with adhesive and attached to the skin around the skin opening. The edges of the wound are trimmed flush with the interior sides of connecting strips, and the strips are then zipped together by moving a slider along the connecting strips to join the strips together like a familiar zipper. The wound zipper forms a continuous, toothless seam to prevent seepage of fluid through the seam. By holding the freshly trimmed edges of the skin opening together immobile in a clean, firm, closely aligned connection, the wound closer recreates the conditions under which scar-free healing of the skin can occur naturally; useful for repairing wounds and removing existing scars.

Abstract: A personal health card that includes a smartcard with an RFID device that automatically reports certain RFID response information when illuminated by an interrogation signal from an RFID reader, such as an authorized first responder interrogation device issued to police, fire, lifeguard, or EMT personnel. The RFID response information may be as minimal as a visible or audible “ping” response displayed or played on the RFID interrogator indicating that a personal health card has been interrogated. If multiple cards respond to the interrogator, the RFID interrogator can be used to select among the responding cards so that the operator can investigate one card at a time. A characteristic of the response from a selected card may change in response to the strength of the signal received from the card to help the operator locate and recover a desired card.

Abstract: A limited flash-over electric power switch uses a dielectric gas regulator and a flash-over arrestor to greatly diminish the occurrences of high voltage flash-over during operation of a circuit interrupter. The dielectric gas regulator prevents the flow of the dielectric gas into the arc gap during an initial portion of the opening stroke of the interrupter contacts. Once the arc gap is sufficiently wide to greatly diminish the likelihood of a high voltage flash-over, the dielectric gas regulator allows the dielectric gas to flow into the arc gap to extinguish the arc. The flash-over arrestor snubs out incipient flash-over that may occur as the arc attempts to reform across the arc gap. The flash-over arrestor may be a conductive ring located on the interior surface of the nozzle in the region of the orifice.

Abstract: A global customer satisfaction system includes point-of-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving in-store customer feedback including satisfaction ratings and other customer feedback regarding participating vendors as the customer pays for purchases. The system also includes post-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving more detailed customer feedback regarding the vendors from members after the sales have been completed. The system also includes an aggregation and dissemination system for combining the ratings received form customers into global customer satisfaction ratings for participating vendors, and disseminating the customer satisfaction information through customer satisfaction qualified directories, which are organized or searchable by geographical, type of product or service offered by the participating vendors, and other factors.

Abstract: A tag-mediated review system for electronic content that ranks content based upon several ascertainable factors, including the implicit engagement with the content by users (typically online viewers); the expertise and success in the topical domain by reviewers; and the review activity of users or viewers. The system extends implicit metrics to tracking of user interaction including the receipt of video and audio content over the web. Document ranking is mediated by tags that identify the subject matter addressed by an associated document as the ranking mediators for computing content quality scores values for user and reviewer activity. The tag-mediated content quality scores, which are content quality scores for the subject matter area identified by the associated tags, can be exposed to end-users and used directly or indirectly to complement search engine retrieval algorithms.

Abstract: A processor (10) controls the operation of the device and preferably provides for a plurality of operational algorithms or modes. A program switch (18) allows the user to select which algorithm will be used. The processor drives an inverter (12), which drives a power amplifier or bridge (13). The output of the bridge 13 is connected to one or more transducers 16. When the user presses the switch (19A), the processor begins the algorithm. One or more of the transducers are placed on the patient's body in the area to be treated. The algorithms provide for lower-frequency and higher-frequency sweeps, which the transducers convert to microvibrations which, in turn, massage not only the muscles and the larger blood vessels, but also the smaller blood vessels and capillaries, and provide for improved blood circulation in the affected area, thereby relieving pain and enhancing recovery.

Abstract: A system for providing a wide range of telecommunications initiated data fulfillment services in which a multi-function code, such as “*#” (star, pound), input into an originating telecommunications device, such as a conventional land-line or wireless telephone, triggers the treatment of the input sequence as a multi-function code service request rather than a dialed directory number. The multi-function code is followed by an input data string to complete the multi-function code service request, which the user typically enters into the telecommunications device just like a conventional telephone call, except that the input string begins with the multi-function code.

Abstract: A fountain base for supporting one or more statues on top of a disappearing water fountain. The fountain base includes a basin, a statue support located in the basin, and an access lid that permits maintenance access to the interior of the basin without having to remove the statue from the statue support. A pump located within the basin delivers water from the basin to the top of the statue where it is released to flow over the exterior of the surface of the statue, through the access lid, and back into the basin. The access lid, which may be supported by a statue stand or a system of pillars, includes one or more panels that can be removed without removing the statue from the statue support. The panels may include access doors to permit easy access to the interior of the basin.

Abstract: A very narrow band multipoint communication system suitable for use in an automatic meter reading (AMR) system having a communication protocol that divides each main channel of a frequency or digital code hopping system into multiple sub-channels and applies frequency division multiplexing among the sub-channels. Each sub-channel exhibits a very narrow band characteristic that allows gain increase to increase the transmission range of the meters. In addition, frequency division multiplexing among the sub-channels greatly increases the number of meters that can communicate on each main channel. The data collection device demodulates and decodes the multiplexed meter signals at an intermediate frequency with electronic circuitry. The resulting very narrow band AMR system exhibits greater transmission range, greater bandwidth and can accommodate a much larger number of meters per data collection device in comparison to a conventional narrow band AMR system.

Abstract: A portable, hands-free and user friendly breast pump for facilitating breast-feeding, incorporates a dome-shaped housing having a servomotor mechanism; a hat-shaped flange having a chamber portion, a brim portion and an outlet, the chamber portion being formed so as to be placed over a nipple on a breast so as to define a chamber between the flange and the breast, and the brim portion being formed to surround the nipple and thereby form a suction seal therebetween; and a one-way venting element formed to operatively communicate with the chamber so as to vent pumped milk from the chamber via the outlet. The housing, the flange and the venting element are connected into an integral device held against the breast and underneath clothing so as to keep the integral device hidden. Breast milk is collected via a plastic collection bag that connects directly with the pump underneath clothing such that the milk is isolated from any contaminants in the air and may be easily stored immediately after being collected.

Abstract: A combustion air system for a recovery boiler is described in which multiple levels of secondary and tertiary combustion air ports each have an even number of ports, with the ports on opposing walls interlaced. The air system lends itself equally well to front/rear wall or sidewall applications and is especially beneficial for rectangular boilers. The air system features large and small-scale horizontal circulation zones superimposed on each other and the ability to adjust the angle of the air jets. Additional features include port dampers for the starting burners and system control based on kinetic energy.