Abstract: The contact between, for example, ascending liquid droplets of lighter liquid, as the dispersed phase, and heavier liquid, as the continuous phase, flowing across perforated trays in a flooded liquid/liquid contacting column, is enhanced by providing upstanding baffles on lower trays, interspersed with depending baffles from the trays above. The baffles cause the heavy liquid to flow along an undulating path. Flow distributing partitions extend along the undulating flow path, between the baffles, to distribute liquid flow across the trays. The roles of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid may be reversed as phases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing channel capacity in an Internet-based voice messaging system. Voice messages are stored in client mailboxes in the voice compression format they are received in a call answering session. During a message pickup session, the voice compression format of the retrieved message is compared to the voice compression formats or codecs supported by the user's terminal. If the voice compression format is not the same, re-negotiation is attempted, and if unsuccessful the voice message is transcoded prior to playback. If the voice compression format is the same, then the voice message is played back without transcoding. The voice message server also includes a voice prompt module which stores voice prompts in all the voice compression formats or codecs supported by the voice message server. The voice prompts are selected according to the supported voice compression format or codec and played back without the need for any transcoding.

Abstract: A system and method of testing the audio performance of an acoustic device is provided. To test a device microphone, an audio signal is generated, provided to an external speaker, outputted to the device microphone, and routed to an auxiliary input/output device where it is outputted and analyzed. To test a device speaker, an audio signal is generated, inputted to an auxiliary input/output device, routed to the device speaker, outputted to an external microphone, and outputted to an audio analyzer.

Abstract: A tube defines a cavity. Normally-open fitting (2) and normally-closed fitting (3) are respectively fitted into the tube to form ports (34),(35) having seats (40),(13). A body secured to fitting (3) defines a chamber (26) to which port (35) leads. Body (4) defines holes (27),(30) leading into chamber (26). A solenoid assembly (6) is slidable within chamber (26), includes a coil, segregates chamber (26) to chambers (7),(29) which communicate respectively with holes (27),(30) and defines a chamber (16), a seat (18), a seal (14) and an orifice (33) leading between seat (18) and seat (13). A rod-piston assembly includes a rod (37) attached to: assembly (6), sealably passing through body (4) into cavity and preventing gas communication between cavity and chamber (7); and a piston with a seal (39). A magnetic rod (15) slides within chamber (16). Spring (17) urges rod (15) towards seat (18) to seal orifice (33). Spring (12) urges assembly (6) towards seat (13) to seal port (35).

Abstract: A valve that includes a housing defining first and second bores having a central axis, and a peripheral valve seat. An actuator is located in the first bore and has a reciprocating seal disposed for movement along the central axis for engaging the valve seat and closing the valve. A coiled return spring is mounted in the housing for urging the reciprocating seal towards the chamber to open the valve, the return spring having a first end connected to the reciprocating seal and a second end engaging a spring support in the housing facing the first bore. The return spring may have a larger diameter at its second end than its first end. The housing may include a third bore in communication with the second bore and having a different cross-sectional area than the second bore. A closure cap formed from moldable material may close an opening in the housing, the closure cap being sealably joined to the housing by a welded joint.

Abstract: A generalized Layer-2 virtual private network arrangement and method is disclosed for layer-2 and/or layer-1 VPNs. The generalized Layer-2 VPN includes mechanisms which provide simplified provisioning and a degree of customer autonomy regarding establishing pseudo-wire connections without the assistance of the service provider across the service provider's network. The generalized Layer-2 VPN is particularly useful for overcoming the need for customers to be restricted to a particular transport or technology used within the provider network.

Abstract: A method for automatically configuring an access control point based upon the network resource requirements of an application. The installation of a new application on a mobile device or other user device is accompanied, before, during, or after installation, with the distribution of access control information. An access control point blocks communications based upon access rules. An access update module modifies or sets the access rules based upon the access control information. The access control point and the access update module may be located within the mobile device, within an associated wireless connector system, or in other locations within the mobile communication system. The setting or resetting of the access rules based upon the access control information may be triggered during installation, modification, or removal of the application.

Abstract: A method for converting graphic object data that defines a graphic object, including converting the graphic object data from a path format to a second format, the path format including path elements that are each associated with a fill style and define one or more polygon shapes at least partially filled with the associated fill style, the path elements collectively defining the graphic object. The conversion includes (i) redefining the polygon shapes defined by the path elements as groups of triangles, and (ii) combining at least some of triangles in the groups of triangles into further polygon shapes that fall within predetermined complexity thresholds.

Abstract: Distributed assembly of data packets into messages at a group of interface devices that receive data packets from within a coverage area. Each interface device in the group will take ownership of a sequence of data packets forming a message when a data packet of the message meeting predetermined criteria is received by that interface device. Once an interface device takes ownership of a sequence of data packets, it sends a request to the other interface devices for any missing data packets of the sequence that the ownership claiming interface does not have, and then assembles message upon receiving all the data packets of the sequence.

Abstract: An injection molding hot-runner component comprising a tubular body defining a central passage and having an outer surface, an electrically insulated heater wire coupled to the tubular body, an external lead electrically connected to an end of the heater wire to form a connection, the external lead for connecting to an external power supply, and a terminal housing mounted to the outer surface of the tubular body, the connection of the external lead and the end of the heater wire being located within the terminal housing, wherein the connection extends in a plane that is generally parallel to tangential plane to the outer surface of the tubular body at the location of the connection.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device that includes a controller including at least one processor, for controlling operation of the mobile device; a display coupled to the controller; a user input device coupled to the controller; and a storage coupled to the controller, the storage storing event reminder information identifying event reminders for different types of events, times at which the event reminders are scheduled to be released for display on the display.

Abstract: A system and methods providing immediate peer-to-peer messaging between mobile devices in a wireless system. An invitation architecture is disclosed which enables the exchange of personal identification numbers (PINs) without requiring a user to directly access or provide his or her PIN. A messaging application encrypts its associated PIN before providing it to a messaging application on another mobile device through an existing communication application. The invitation architecture automatically manages the encryption, any requisite key exchanges, the composition of invitation and acceptance messages, and the decryption and storage of PINs.

Abstract: Bypass valves and heat exchangers employing same are provided where the bypass valves cause the flow through the heat exchangers to be short-circuited under certain temperature conditions. The heat exchangers are formed of stacked plate pairs or tubes having enlarged communicating distal end portions forming inlet and outlet manifolds. The bypass valves can be plugged in where desired between the enlarged distal end portions to produce bypass flow between the inlet and outlet manifolds. The bypass valves include a housing which can be brazed in place during brazing of the heat exchanger. The housing has inlet and outlet openings in communication with the respective inlet and outlet manifolds for bypass flow therebetween. A removable temperature responsive actuator is located in the housing for blocking and unblocking the bypass flow through the valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing melt from a stagnation zone in a melt conduit extending from a melt source to a mold cavity is provided. The stagnation zone may be created by the presence of a valve pin in the melt conduit for controlling melt flow therethrough. The apparatus includes a stagnation zone cleaner that is moveable through the stagnation zone for urging melt out of the stagnation zone.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a note-based audio object to a Pulse Code Modulated (PCM) audio format is disclosed. An electronic communication device includes a memory containing a note-based audio object and lookup table containing trigonometric function evaluations. The note-based audio object contains note frequency information. The note-based audio object is converted to a PCM stream by generating PCM code words for each sample point in the PCM stream based upon the note frequency information. The PCM code words are determined based upon selection of one or more of the trigonometric function evaluations within the look-up table. A speaker outputs audio based upon the PCM formatted stream.

Abstract: Method and system for encrypting streamed data employing fast set-up single use keys and self-synchronization. A transmitting handset produces a bitstream of voice data containing the session key and encrypted by an encryption signal based upon the session key. A receiving handset decrypts the incoming bitstream using the encryption signal and recognizes the session key, thereby establishing synchronization. The session key is derived from a seed by applying a first function to the seed. Following the call, the session key is converted into a new seed by application of a second function and the new seed is stored for use in the next call.

Abstract: A Layer-2.5 virtual private network arrangement and method is disclosed for switched Layer2VPN combined with a subset of Layer-3 VPNs. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPN includes logical ports of two types, customer and provider, and port information tables, and uses Layer-3 mechanisms to distribute customer routes. This provides simplified provisioning and a degree of customer autonomy regarding establishing of virtual connections without the assistance of the service provider across the service provider's network while allowing the provider to distribute customer reachability information. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2.5 VPN using Layer-3 mechanisms is particularly useful for customers who are not comfortable with a full Layer-3VPN IP datapath due to special security concerns or a desire for Layer-2 QoS with benefits of an IP-VPN service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating distinct zones in a mold that can be separately filled, particularly with different materials. A molded barrier is created within the mold and the mold is configured so that the barrier separates zones in a mold cavity. Different materials may then be injected into the separate zones to create a molded article constructed of multiple materials.

Abstract: Refresh and filtering mechanisms for LDP based VPLS and L2VPN solutions are disclosed. A method for improving information communication in a network is achieved by these refresh and filtering mechanisms. The network includes provider edge devices which can communicate with each other. The provider edge devices run a communications protocol. The method includes a step of using the communications protocol in providing a first of the provider edge devices with a list of layer-2 virtual private network instances to which a second of the provider edge devices belongs. Another step in the method is filtering layer-2 virtual private network information to be communicated to the second provider edge device from the first provider edge device by reference to the layer-2 virtual private network instances to which the second provider edge device belongs.

Abstract: A method for verifying full mesh status in a network is disclosed. The network includes endpoint entities in full mesh configuration. The method includes a step of maintaining a first value in the endpoint entities. The first value is related to counting of network endpoint entities. Another step in the method is maintaining a second value in the endpoint entities. The second value is related to counting non-operational transmission paths before a point in time. An additional step in the method is discovering an additional value related to counting non-operational transmission paths after the point in time. Yet another step in the method is comparing the additional value with the first value and the second value.