Abstract: An adaptive analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system (100) includes an automatic gain control (AGC) controller (101) for receiving both in-band and out-of-band signals from a radio frequency (RF) receiver and producing an AGC control signal therefrom. A digital signal processor (DSP) (103) is then used for interpreting the AGC control signal and providing an adjustment signal to an ADC (105). The ADC (105) uses the adjustment signal to dynamically control efficiency of the ADC system 100 by adjusting bit resolution, reference capacitance and bias based upon the RF signal received and desired protocol requirements presented to the AGC controller (101).

Abstract: A seal adapter for reducing the escape of exhaust gases between an outboard motor and a propeller includes a substantially hollow cylindrical connecting member (71) having a shoulder (84) for dividing the connecting member (70) into a plurality of sections. A seal ring (80) is associated with one of the sections for engaging with an annular recess (76) located within the propeller hub (74) to provide a substantially tight seal.

Abstract: A file cabinet providing access to files from substantially all sides, and having one or more rotatable tiers, each tier containing a plurality of file containers. Each tier includes a central carrousel support having a plurality of radially extending arms. Mounted to the outer terminus of each arm is a file support assembly, each configured to rotate about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position. Each file support assembly is adapted to suspend a file container thereon to provide detachable storage. The detachable file containers each include a box having an upper frame which suspends the container from the file support assemblies. A top may provided to close each container in a secure manner to protect the container's contents.

Abstract: A system for coarsely tuning at least one voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (211) in a phase locked loop (PLL) synthesizer (200) that includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD) for determining a phase difference between a VCO frequency and a reference frequency and providing an error signal if the VCO frequency and reference frequency are at least 2&pgr; radians out of phase. A monitor (215) is then used for tracking the number of error signals produced by the PFD. The free running frequency of the VCO may be coarsely tuned in the event the monitor circuit reaches some predetermined level. The invention offers great advantage in enabling a PLL to be coarsely tuned to enable the PLL's VCO to remain with an operational range despite operational factors that effect circuit operation.

Abstract: A mounting support (100, 200) for a marine vessel inboard drive propulsion system used in connection with a precision driveline includes a substantially cylindrical housing (107), one or more bearing assemblies (113) positioned within the cylindrical housing (107) for promoting rotation of a drive shaft (103) and one or more seals (119) typically located at both ends of the housing (107) for preventing water from contacting one or more of the bearing assemblies (113).

Abstract: A digital data system (100) provides 1-D, 2-D and 3-D capability and multi-band channel capability. Improved filter banks are created by generating a filter bank having an analysis portion and synthesis portion and obtaining wavelet coefficients (302) for each portion. The wavelet coefficients are expressed in a format capable of canonical signed digit (CSD) representation, such as integers (302). The canonical signed digit (CSD) representation is controlled by a value, N, selected to control resolution of the CSD coding. Optimized CSD-coded wavelet coefficients are used as filters for data signals (318).

Abstract: A coping saw is provided having two spaced-apart rotary actuators supported by a frame. Two saw-blade sections extend between the two rotary actuators and are intended to singularly engage a work piece. The saw is adapted to contain a drive mechanism which is coupled to a first of the two rotary actuators for causing the saw-blade sections to move in at least one direction. At least one guide roller assembly is disposed each of the two saw-blade sections for providing stability and retaining said two-saw blade sections between said two rotary actuators.

Abstract: A dynamic range on demand radio frequency (RF) receiver (300) includes a wideband detector (303), off-channel detector (313) and on-channel detector (327) supplying input to an automatic gain control (307) for adjusting a dynamic control stage to control dynamic range and resolution of digital baseband signals (329, 331).

Abstract: An encoder (300) selects (702, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308) one or more subsets of spatially or temporally correlated transformed data coefficients, on the basis of the significance of each subset in representing the data. The encoder (300) and a complementary decoder (400) may be applied to wavelet transform encoded images (500). The encoder (300) may be implemented on a wireless to Internet gateway server (108), in order to reduce byte size of encoded images (500) sent through a wireless network (112), and reduce the amount of processing that must be performed by a wireless device (118) to decode an image or other data. The decoder (400) and/or encoder (300) may be implemented on the wireless device (118).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simulating an open flame in a hand-held device. The method and the device resulting therefrom includes attaching a lamp to an electrical circuit contained within a housing, the circuit adapted to randomly vary at least one of a voltage, a current, and a resistance of a direct current supplied to said lamp by at least one battery, and transmitting the light from the lamp in at least a hemispherical pattern through a faceted cap surrounding said lamp.

Abstract: An animal feeder and particularly a bird feeder having a construction that allows bird seed cakes of various ornamental designs to freely hang while providing a separate area for multiple visiting birds to perch. The grid-patterned perch hangs around the cake, thereby minimizing both premature destruction of the cake and obstructions to a view of the visiting birds and the decoratively shaped seed cake.

Abstract: A file cabinet providing access to files from substantially all sides, and having one or more rotatable tiers, each tier containing a plurality of file containers. Each tier includes a central carrousel support having a plurality of radially extending arms. Mounted to the outer terminus of each arm is a file support assembly, each configured to rotate about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position. Each file support assembly is adapted to suspend a file container thereon to provide detachable storage. The detachable file containers each include a box having an upper frame which suspends the container from the file support assemblies. A top may provided to close each container in a secure manner to protect the container's contents.

Abstract: A desk providing a work surface and having a top, a bottom, a perimeter edge, and a U-shaped channel disposed below the top of the work surface adjacent the perimeter edge. The U-shaped channel includes a vertical member extending downwardly from the work surface proximate the perimeter edge, a bridge member, and a back member extending upwardly from the bridge member and spaced from the vertical member. A plurality of legs are attached to the bottom of the work surface to support the work surface a predetermined distance above a floor. The desk may be fitted with a return rotatably attached to at least one of the plurality of legs such that the return can be rotated under the work surface when not in use.

Abstract: A diaphragm includes a vibratory membrane and at least one nickel titanium memory metal member having a shape that can be mechanically adjusted with a heating signal. The mechanical adjustment of the at least one nickel titanium memory metal member tunes the frequency response of the vibratory membrane in the diaphragm. The at least one nickel titanium memory metal member can be a sheet providing a vibratory membrane, or sheet sections or wire made of nickel titanium memory metal bonded to a vibratory membrane.

Abstract: A parameter extraction technique for an electrical structure is based on a definition of network parameters that isolates pure mode responses of the electrical structure, and that makes mode conversion responses of the electrical structure negligible. A set of network parameters is obtained that represents pure mode responses for the electrical structure (410). These network parameters are processed to obtain model parameters that characterize each pure mode response (422, 424, 426, 428, 432, 434, 436, 438). Preferably, the mode specific parameters to combined to obtain mode independent parameters, such as coupling factor, propagation constant, and characteristic impedance values (440, 450).

Abstract: An application (50) utilizing a speech recognition interface (10) employs the use of verbal proxies to accomplish dynamic vocabulary updates. One or more proxies used by the application (50) are defined (60) and added to the vocabulary (38) of the speech recognition interface (10). Upon the speech recognition interface (10) receiving a speech signal (14) representative of a command containing a defined proxy, the recognized speech is converted to text by the speech recognition interface (66, 68) to generate a text version of the recognized speech (28). The application receives the text version of the recognized speech (28) and processes it in accordance with the received command (70, 72). A parsing function (52) of the application (50) receives the text version of the recognized speech and determines what proxy routine(s) of the application to send the speech information to (80, 82).

Abstract: An FM demodulator in accordance with the present invention receives a composite signal from an antenna and corresponding processing circuitry. The composite signal includes a carrier signal having a voice/data signal modulated thereon. The composite signal is processed to separate the voice/data signal from the carrier signal. The voice/data signal is separated into an in-phase (I) signal and a quadrature (Q) signal. The Q signal is differentiated and then divided by the I signal to obtain the voice/data signal. Alternatively, I signal is differentiated and then divided by the Q signal to obtain the voice/data signal.

Abstract: A coping saw is provided having two spaced-apart rotary actuators supported by a frame. Two saw-blade sections extend between the two rotary actuators and are intended to singularly engage a work piece. The saw is adapted to contain a drive mechanism which is coupled to a first of the two rotary actuators for causing the saw-blade sections to move in at least one direction. Alternately, the coping saw may be configured to be an attachment for a conventional rotary tool.

Abstract: A shoulder exercise bar intended for use with hemiplegic patients is provided which maintains a patient's hands in proper position during shoulder exercises and may also be used for elbow and wrist exercises. The shoulder exercise bar includes a crossbar which is adjustable in length to fit a particular patient. A plurality of handles are provided at each end of the crossbar to be grasped by the patient demonstrating weakness. One of the handles is angularly offset at each end with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the crossbar and provides for versatile strengthening and stretching exercises for the patient. The orientation of the handles also encourages self resisted or isotonic strengthening exercises.

Abstract: Ligularia dentata ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ is a new and distinct cultivar of Ragwort with very dark purple brown foliage that remains effective throughout the growing season, and effective as a potted plant or landscape specimen or mass for the bold foliage effect and colorful yellow-orange glower display.